Anand, June 25 (IANS) The Gujarat government on Thursday granted in-principle approval for a Rs 1,700 crore barrage-cum-bridge project over the Mahi river near Dhuvaran in Anand district, a development expected to strengthen regional connectivity while significantly improving water security across central and southern Gujarat.

The proposed ‘Badalpur-Kareli Barrage-cum-Bridge’ will combine transport infrastructure with large-scale water conservation.

Officials said the project is designed not only to link key regions but also to address long-standing issues of salinity intrusion, drinking water supply and irrigation demand in the Charotar-Bharuch belt.

The approval follows efforts by State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Raman Solanki.

According to the state government, survey work for the project will be undertaken on a priority basis following clearance.

Anand Irrigation Department Executive Engineer Rajat Chaudhary said the structure will include a two-kilometre bridge segment spanning approximately 4.5 kilometres within a riverbed.

“Around 70 gates will be installed to regulate the flow of the Mahi River and to maximise the storage of freshwater during the monsoon period,” he said.

He added that protection bunds will be built across the remaining stretches, along with flood-control systems to ensure safety during peak rainfall.

The barrage is expected to create a storage capacity of around 183 million cubic metres of freshwater. At present, a large volume of monsoon water from the Mahi River flows into the sea annually, which the project aims to capture and utilise.

Officials said the region currently depends heavily on the Kadana dam for drinking water supply. The new structure is expected to reduce that dependence and provide a more localised and reliable source of freshwater for domestic, agricultural and industrial use.

One of the key objectives of the project is to address salinity ingress, which has affected agricultural land due to tidal influence.

At present, seawater reportedly reaches inland as far as the Sindhrot weir, nearly 50 kilometres from the coast, contributing to soil degradation in several areas.

With regulated freshwater storage, officials expect a long-term reduction in salinity levels.

The project is projected to benefit around 16,000 hectares of land and improve groundwater quality over time, allowing farmers to undertake multiple cropping cycles.

The development is also expected to provide potable water to more than 15 lakh people across approximately 80 villages, including 42 in Anand district, 30 in Vadodara district, and 8 in Bharuch district.

In total, the wider impact area includes 409 villages and 32 ponds across the three districts. Beyond water management, the project is designed to function as a major transport link.

Authorities estimate that the distance between Khambhat and Tarapur and the Jambusar-Dahej industrial corridor will be reduced by around 75 kilometres.

This is expected to cut travel time, reduce fuel consumption and improve freight movement between industrial zones, including the Dahej Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR).

Officials also expect broader socio-economic impacts, including increased agricultural productivity, improved industrial connectivity and enhanced employment opportunities in rural areas, potentially slowing migration to urban centres.

The large water body created by the barrage is also expected to support future tourism development in the region.

The project is now expected to move forward with detailed surveys and further planning stages before construction begins.

–IANS

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