India and the Netherlands are expanding cooperation on the ambitious Kalpasar Project, aiming to strengthen water security, climate resilience, irrigation infrastructure and coastal engineering capabilities in Gujarat.

BulletsIn

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Netherlands visit has given fresh momentum to the Kalpasar Project through proposed collaboration in advanced Dutch water management technologies and coastal engineering expertise.
• India and the Netherlands signed a Letter of Intent to deepen technical cooperation on large-scale water infrastructure, flood protection and climate-resilient engineering solutions.
• The Kalpasar Project proposes construction of a massive freshwater reservoir across Gujarat’s Gulf of Khambhat by storing river water flowing into the Arabian Sea.
• Dutch expertise from the iconic Afsluitdijk Dam project is expected to support India in designing advanced flood-control, freshwater storage and coastal protection systems.
• The proposed Kalpasar reservoir could provide irrigation benefits to nearly 10 lakh hectares across several districts of Gujarat while improving long-term drinking water availability.
• The project is also expected to improve regional connectivity by significantly reducing travel distance between South Gujarat and Saurashtra through an integrated transport corridor.
• Officials believe the project could support renewable energy generation, fisheries development, tourism expansion and broader economic growth across Gujarat’s coastal regions.
• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described India-Netherlands cooperation on Kalpasar as a landmark development for strengthening future water security and climate resilience planning.