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• Dependence on Sardar Sarovar Dam will reduce, wide availability of drinking water and water for irrigation will be ensured.

Gandhinagar, May 18, 2026 – Kalpasar The scheme has got new wings from the technology of Netherlands. In fact, work on this very important dream scheme of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for Gujarat and the entire country has been going on for many decades, but now this work will gain momentum.

Prime Minister Narendra ModiDue to the efforts of Gujarat, significant progress has been made towards realizing the ambitious Kalpasar scheme. During his visit to the Netherlands, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the world famous Dam ‘Afsluitdijk’ of the Netherlands on Sunday along with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Rob Jetten. He described the technology used in this dam as exemplary. It is noteworthy that there are striking similarities between ‘Afsluitdijk’ and Gujarat’s Kalpasar scheme.

water storage For this, a Memorandum of Intent (LoI) was signed between the Ministry of Jal Shakti of India and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands in the presence of the Prime Minister regarding technical cooperation for the Kalpasar Scheme. This will give more impetus to the implementation of the scheme.

Gujarat, which has been facing conditions like irregular rainfall and drought for a long time, has got relief from the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam, but depending on any one scheme to ensure long-term water security can be dangerous. For this reason, the then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had conceived the ambitious Kalpasar scheme in the Gulf of Khambhat. However, this scheme is technically very complex and challenging.

What is Kalpasar Scheme?

Under the Kalpasar scheme, which has been under consideration for a long time, there is a plan to utilize the water of seven rivers reaching the sea by building a huge dam in the Gulf of Khambhat. The main objective of this scheme is to create a large freshwater reservoir on the Gulf of Khambhat. Additionally, it also includes integrated development of energy production, irrigation and transportation infrastructure.

In the year 2004, a historic start of marine survey was made at Bhavnagar by the then Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi to determine the outline of Kalpasar Dam. However, since this scheme is very complex, there are many difficulties in implementing it. Continuous efforts are being made by the government to face these problems. Recently, during his meeting with Netherlands Ambassador Ms. Marissa Gerrards in Gandhinagar on March 30, 2026, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel had an important discussion regarding Kalpasar Scheme. During this time, the formation of ‘Indo-Dutch’ expert group and G2G partnership were also discussed.

You will get these benefits from Kalpasar Scheme

After the implementation of this scheme, approximately 10 lakh hectare area in 42 talukas of 9 districts of Saurashtra will get the benefit of irrigation. After this becomes a reality, the distance between South Gujarat and Saurashtra will reduce from 240 kilometers to 60 kilometers. Not only this, this scheme will also generate renewable energy sources like approximately 1500 MW wind energy and 1000 MW solar energy. Along with this, development of tourism and fishery industry will also be encouraged.

To realize the Kalpasar scheme, detailed study reports have been prepared from time to time. Royal Haskoning, a world-renowned organization from the Netherlands with vast experience in the maritime sector, has done very important work on the most important ‘Closure Methodology’ in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Kalpasar Project.

What is ‘Afsluitdijk’?

‘Afsluitdijk’ only Netherlands Not only this but it is one of the most famous engineering schemes in the world. It is considered an excellent example for the world in the field of water management. It was constructed about 80 years ago. This 32 kilometer long barrier dam separates the North Sea from the freshwater lake. It protects low-lying areas of the Netherlands from severe flooding, making it a global benchmark in flood control. Its most important feature is that it traps salt water from the sea, so that a large reservoir of fresh water is formed inside. The Afsluitdijk project includes freshwater storage, shipping, transport connections and renewable energy generation.

The strong determination of the Prime Minister and the partnership of the Netherlands will make the Kalpasar scheme a reality.

The successful Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi always moves forward with a long-term vision and big goals. During his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had dreamed of the Kalpasar Scheme. With the determination to bring the state out of the water crisis and make it water-rich, he made the grand scheme of Sardar Sarovar a reality. He showed strong willpower and determination to realize the Sardar Sarovar Project, which was facing political and environmental obstacles for decades.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been optimistic about the Kalpasar scheme from the beginning. Despite many obstacles, he has kept the dream of realizing this plan alive. Despite the delay in the project due to complex engineering and technological challenges, the Prime Minister’s visit to ‘Afsluitdijk’ during his recent visit to the Netherlands and the signing of the Letter of Intent between India and the Netherlands for the Kalpasar project clearly shows how serious and committed the Prime Minister is to the project.

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According to the statement given by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, this visit reflects the joint commitment of both the countries to work together in the areas of water management, climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure.

This visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the signing of the letter of intent for the Kalpasar Scheme has opened new doors of golden possibilities for Gujarat. Also, Netherlands will provide India the benefit of its world famous ‘Afsluitdijk’ project with over 90 years of experience and technical expertise.

This collaboration is based on the ‘India-Dutch Strategic Partnership on Water’ signed between India and the Netherlands on March 29, 2022. Netherlands has high-class technical expertise in building dams in the sea and now Gujarat is going to directly benefit from this expertise, which will play an important role in realizing the ambitious Kalpasar scheme of the state.