Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has moved forward with one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, as its Kalpasar Department has initiated the formal process to obtain environmental clearance (EC) for the ₹1.33 lakh crore Kalpasar Project.

On May 21, 2026, the department submitted a fresh application to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Through this application, the state is seeking permission to begin detailed environmental studies to assess how the project may impact the surrounding environment before large-scale construction starts.

The Kalpasar Project, also known as the Gulf of Khambhat Development Project, was envisioned decades ago as a multi-purpose solution for the water-scarce regions of Saurashtra and Central Gujarat.

Key technical features of the proposal include:

Mega Dyke: A 60.13-km-long dyke connecting Bhavnagar and Bharuch, with 26.7 km located directly in the sea.

Freshwater Reservoir: The creation of a massive coastal reservoir with a capacity of 7,807 million cubic metres, making it one of the largest man-made lakes in the world.

Massive Transport Link: A 130-metre-wide corridor over the dyke featuring a 16-lane roadway and a four-lane railway line. This link is expected to reduce the travel distance between Bhavnagar and Surat/Mumbai from 240 km to just 60 km.

Green Power: Integration of a wind-solar hybrid system capable of generating 2,500 million units of power annually.

The project is expected to be a game-changer for the state’s economy. It aims to provide irrigation facilities to approximately 9.99 lakh hectares of land across 42 talukas in nine districts of Saurashtra. Beyond agriculture, it is also expected to provide a reliable source of drinking and industrial water, rejuvenate groundwater levels, and reclaim nearly one lakh hectares of tide-affected land for value-based development.

Following decades of studies, the government has finalized the alignment connecting Kardej village in Bhavnagar district to Paniyadra village in Bharuch district. This route was selected because it minimizes the direct impact on ecologically sensitive areas.

While the department has completed extensive technical investigations and pre-feasibility studies, the collection of baseline data for the EIA remains the next immediate priority. The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has been engaged as the accredited consultant to lead these environmental studies.

Timeline and Cost

The total estimated cost of the project stands at ₹1,33,246 crore, with dyke construction alone accounting for over ₹54,000 crore. According to project filings, if all required clearances are granted on schedule, construction is likely to commence in May 2028, with completion targeted for late 2035.

The project is currently being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), reflecting its national strategic importance. DeshGujarat.