Why PM Modi Visited the Netherlands Afsluitdijk Dam and Why India Is Studying the Dutch Water Model for Gujarat
Honorable Prime Minister visited to the iconic Afsluitdijk dam in the Netherlands which is one best engineering system around the world during his official trip to Netherlands. Alongside with him Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also accompanied him to world’s most successful flood control engineering systems. This visit is significant because the Dutch model offers the valuable insights for the Gujarat’s ambitious Kalpasar Project.
PM Modi’s visit to the Afsluitdijk dam was not just symblic diplomacy but it was strategic infrastructure learning exercise. The Netherlands is recognized for advanced water engineering, flood defense and climate adaptation systems around the world.
As India and specially coastal states like Gujarat faces the growing challenges from the,
By visiting the Afsluitdijk, India is studying how the world class water infrastructure can help to tackle future environmental risks.
PM Modi said the global community has so much to learn from Dutch expertise in water management.
The Afsluitdijk is Netherlands one of the most most famous engineering achievements.
It is a 32 kilometre long barrier dam which separates the North Sea from the IJsselmeer freshwater lake.
This project was completed nearly 80 years ago and it was designed mainly to protect low lying Dutch land from devastating sea floods.
In today’s time it do more than expectations.
Its major functions includes the,
This makes it the multi purpose climate infrastructure model.
The Netherlands has always battled with water threats due to its geographical location. There are many large parts of the country lie below sea level.
Afsluitdijk became one of the country’s most important engineering solutions.
Now, the Dutch are moderniszng it through the Afsluitdijk 2.0 project, which includes the,
The upgradation reportedly involves an investment of the nearly €800 million.
The Kalpasar Project of the Gujarat is India’s one of the most ambitious water infrastructure proposals.
The plan aims to build a giant dam across the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
Also the goal is to create a massive freshwater reservoir by capturing the river water before it reaches the sea.
According to project proposals, length of dam is nearly 30 kilometres and it will store around 10 billion cubic metres freshwater.
Also the rivers like Narmada, Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadar rivers are potential source for this project.
The project aims to support the drinking water supply, irrigation, industrial water demand, flood management and transport connectivity.
This project will also reduce travel distance between regions of Gujarat.
The Dutch model is attractive because it combines the multiple solutions in one system. Currently, India needs modern infrastructure that solves several problems simultaneously.
Dutch expertise offers the lessons in the,
Multi-purpose Water Infrastructure
In which instead of separate systems for the floods, water storage, and transport one integrated structure can perform multiple roles.
Climate Adaptation
Modern infrastructure must prepare for the future climate extremes not just current risks.
Coastal Protection
Also the states like Gujarat need better protection against the rising sea water level and saltwater intrusion.
Sustainable Engineering
Alongside with upgradation environmental balance is becoming equally important.
Since the 1970s, this project discussed multiple times, Kalpasar remains under cultivation.
Major concerns associated with it are,
The project cost is also estimated to exceed the ₹85,000 crore.
Construction period for this model could take more than a decade. And no final environmental clearance has been granted yet.
Around the world many governments are rethinking infrastructure practices. As the climate change is increasing the pressure via,
Upcoming mega projects will need to combines the multiple roles by focusing the,
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