Gujarat Daman-Ganga Barrage ₹159.50-Crore Vapi Project

Gujarat’s ₹159.50-crore Daman-Ganga barrage near Vapi aims to improve irrigation, groundwater recharge and water security.

By News National Editorial Team

Vapi, Gujarat | October 12, 2026

Gujarat is preparing to move ahead with a ₹159.50-crore barrage project on the Daman-Ganga River near Vapi in Valsad district. The proposed infrastructure is intended to improve irrigation, increase water storage and support groundwater recharge, while strengthening water availability for households and industries in the surrounding region.

According to reports published on October 12, an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract has been awarded for the project near Namdha village in Vapi taluka. The proposed barrage site is approximately three kilometres downstream of the existing Vapi Weir.

The project is expected to create a gross storage capacity of 5.49 million cubic metres (MCM), providing an additional water-storage facility in an area with agricultural, industrial and municipal water requirements.

Irrigation benefits for six villages

One of the principal objectives is to improve irrigation access for farmers. The project is expected to create irrigation potential across approximately 549 hectares of agricultural land, with stored water supplied through a lift-irrigation system.

The six villages identified as beneficiaries are Namdha, Chandor, Mohan, Eklahare, Nahuli and Jamburi.

Improved access to irrigation could help farmers reduce their dependence on rainfall and make agricultural planning more predictable. Depending on water availability, crop requirements and local farming conditions, reliable irrigation may also create opportunities for additional cultivation.

However, the projected irrigation benefits will depend on the completion of the infrastructure and the effective delivery and management of water. The announced potential should not be interpreted as evidence that all identified farmland is already receiving additional water.

Water security for Vapi and nearby industries

The barrage is also intended to support municipal and industrial requirements around Vapi, an important industrial centre in southern Gujarat.

Figures cited in the project announcement show that during 2024–25, the existing Vapi Weir supplied 19 MCM of water for industrial use to Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation facilities, 7.30 MCM for water supply and 6 MCM to Vapi Municipal Corporation. The reported revenue from these supplies totalled ₹69.15 crore.

The proposed barrage could add to the region's storage capacity and support future water requirements. Its actual contribution will depend on river flows, operating arrangements, demand and the amount of water available for allocation.

The project announcement also identifies groundwater recharge as a potential benefit. Water stored upstream of the barrage could help replenish nearby groundwater sources, including existing tube wells in Vapi. The extent of any improvement in groundwater levels or quality will need to be assessed after the project becomes operational.

Salinity control and wider development

Another stated objective is to limit the movement of tidal water and reduce salinity intrusion into the riverbed. If effective, this could help protect freshwater resources in surrounding areas.

The announcement also points to possible wider benefits, including better drinking-water availability, riverfront development, recreational facilities and improved connectivity. These should be treated as anticipated benefits rather than completed developments.

For residents and businesses, the project's importance will ultimately depend on whether the additional storage translates into reliable and fairly managed water supplies. Construction progress, environmental safeguards, water allocations and the maintenance of the barrage will be important factors to monitor.

As of October 12, 2026, the reported development concerns the planned project and its expected benefits. A confirmed construction-completion date and independently measured outcomes were not established in the reports reviewed.

Sources

• DeshGujarat — ₹159.50-crore barrage to come up on Daman-Ganga River near Vapi, October 12, 2026

• Asianet Newsable — Daman-Ganga barrage project near Vapi, October 12, 2026

• Press Information Bureau — Revival of Daman Ganga River, March 27, 2026 — background on river-quality measures; not confirmation of this barrage's construction status.