Gujarat approves Rs 1,700 crore Badalpur-Kareli Barrage-cum-Bridge to improve water security and regional connectivity

The Gujarat government has granted in-principle approval for the proposed Rs 1,700 crore Badalpur-Kareli Barrage-cum-Bridge across the Mahi River near Dhuvaran in Anand district. The project is expected to strengthen water security, improve transport connectivity and support agricultural and industrial development across central and south Gujarat.

The proposal has been pursued by Gujarat Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramanbhai Solanki, while the Anand Irrigation Division will oversee the technical aspects of the project. The state government has also directed officials to expedite survey work before construction begins.

The barrage-cum-bridge will be built across the Mahi River and is expected to benefit the districts of Anand, Vadodara and Bharuch. Besides improving road connectivity, it is designed to conserve freshwater, provide a reliable source of drinking water and support irrigation in regions that regularly face water shortages.

One of the project’s primary objectives is to prevent large volumes of freshwater from flowing into the Arabian Sea during the monsoon. Once completed, the barrage is expected to store nearly 183 million cubic metres of freshwater, creating an additional water source for agriculture, industries and domestic use. Officials believe the project will also reduce dependence on the Kadana Dam, which currently supplies much of the region’s drinking water.

According to the Anand Irrigation Division, the project will involve the construction of a bridge measuring around two kilometres within the Mahi River’s 4.5-kilometre-wide riverbed. Around 70 barrage gates will be installed to regulate river flow and maximise freshwater storage. Protective embankments will be built along the remaining river stretch, while modern flood management systems will help ensure safe transportation and controlled water storage during periods of heavy rainfall.

The project is also expected to provide a long-term solution to salinity intrusion, a persistent challenge in coastal parts of Gujarat. At present, seawater travels nearly 50 kilometres inland, affecting groundwater quality and agricultural land. The freshwater reservoir created by the barrage is expected to reduce soil salinity across nearly 16,000 hectares, improving groundwater and allowing farmers to cultivate more crops throughout the year.

Drinking water supply is another major focus of the project. More than 1.5 million people across nearly 80 villages are expected to benefit from improved access to potable water. These include 42 villages in Anand district, 30 in Vadodara district and eight in Bharuch district. Several border villages are also expected to receive a dependable freshwater supply from the Mahi River once the project becomes operational.

The barrage-cum-bridge will also improve regional connectivity by reducing the travel distance between the Khambhat-Tarapur and Jambusar-Dahej industrial regions by around 75 kilometres. The shorter route is expected to reduce travel time and fuel consumption while improving the movement of goods between the Dahej Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) and the Khambhat-Tarapur industrial belt. Better logistics are expected to support industrial growth and improve supply chain efficiency.

The wider impact of the project extends beyond water conservation and transport. In total, 409 villages, including 152 in Anand, 164 in Vadodara and 81 in Bharuch, along with 32 lakes, are expected to benefit directly or indirectly. Improved water availability, better infrastructure and stronger connectivity are likely to encourage agricultural production, generate employment and reduce migration from rural areas. The proposed freshwater reservoir may also create opportunities for tourism and recreation along the Mahi riverfront in the future.

With its focus on water conservation, infrastructure development and regional connectivity, the Badalpur-Kareli Barrage-cum-Bridge is expected to become one of Gujarat’s key infrastructure projects, supporting long-term economic growth and improving the quality of life for communities across the region.