Gandhinagar: As part of the initiatives to strengthen irrigation and water infrastructure in Gujarat, two modern rubber dams are under construction, one on the Heran River near Rajvasana village in Bodeli taluka of Chhota Udepur district, and the other on the Ambika River at Pathakwadi village in Dolvan taluka of Tapi district.

The Rajvasana Rubber Dam is being constructed at a cost of over ₹82.97 crore and is expected to be completed by September 2027. Once operational, it will provide irrigation to farmers across 25 villages. Similarly, the advanced Japanese-designed rubber dam at Pathakwadi village on the Ambika River in Tapi district is being built at a cost of over ₹79 crore. Upon completion, it will provide irrigation to around 650 hectares of agricultural land, benefiting local farmers.

Key Features of the Rajvasana Rubber Dam

A modern 180-metre-long, 3.5-metre-high rubber bladder is being installed on the Heran River as part of the project. The advanced rubber dam will enhance the storage capacity of the existing weir to 3.5 million cubic metres (MCM), helping raise groundwater levels and ensuring improved availability of irrigation and drinking water. Construction of the project is currently 75% complete.

Silt Removal and Flood Control

The existing weir had lost water storage capacity due to sand and silt buildup. The rubber dam system will enable complete removal of the accumulated silt, restoring its storage capacity. During heavy monsoon floods, the rubber dam can be deflated to allow floodwaters to pass safely, reducing the risk of flooding in nearby villages. The project also includes the construction of 900 metres of flood protection wall on the left bank and 500 metres on the right bank of the river.

10 Years of Operation and Maintenance

The project includes 10 years of operation and maintenance (O&M) to ensure its smooth, uninterrupted functioning.

A Lifeline for 3,420 Hectares Across 25 Villages

Once completed, the rubber dam will ensure a reliable water supply for Rabi and Kharif crops through canals connected to the existing weir. In the future, these canals will also be linked to ponds in 25 beneficiary villages, providing a long-term solution to drinking water and irrigation shortages across the region.

About the Pathakwadi Rubber Dam

A major step in water conservation is underway in South Gujarat’s Tapi district with the construction of an advanced air-filled rubber dam on the Ambika River near Pathakwadi village in Dolvan taluka at a cost of ₹79.13 crore. Once completed, the project will provide adequate water for Kharif and summer crops to farmers in Pathakwadi and nearby villages, including Dhodiyawad, Unai, and Sindhai. Construction of the project is currently 90% complete.

A Modern Technological Solution to Geographical Challenges

As the flat terrain and low riverbanks in this part of Tapi district made conventional check dams and weirs impractical, the department conducted a detailed survey following representations from local farmers and Vyara MLA Mohanbhai Kokani. Based on the findings, it was decided to construct an advanced Japanese technology-based air-filled rubber dam, offering significantly higher water storage capacity than a conventional barrage.

Features of the Japanese Design and South Korean Rubber Bladder

The dam has been designed in accordance with the Japanese Code 2000. Its specially engineered rubber bladder, imported from South Korea, ranges from 18 mm to 32 mm in thickness. It is designed to perform efficiently even at temperatures exceeding 50°C and has an estimated service life of 30 years.

SCADA Automation for Operations

The dam’s standout feature is its SCADA-based automation system, which allows the rubber bladder to be inflated and deflated automatically without manual intervention. The 2.50-metre-high rubber bladder will be mounted on a 2.00-metre concrete base using J-bolts, creating a dam with a total height of 4.50 metres and a length of 280 metres across four spans.

Prevention of Flooding and Soil Erosion During Monsoon

Unlike conventional steel-gated dams, the rubber dam allows floodwaters to flow freely during the monsoon, preventing riverbank erosion. When the rubber bladder is deflated, silt passes downstream naturally, helping maintain the dam’s water storage capacity over the long term.

A Lifeline for 650 Hectares and Improved Groundwater Levels

The advanced rubber dam will store 3.5 million cubic metres (MCM) of water, bringing 650 hectares of farmland under assured irrigation. It will also help raise groundwater levels, providing a long-term solution to drinking water shortages in nearby villages. In the future, the technology can also serve as a tidal regulator, preventing saline seawater from mixing with freshwater.