Kalpsar project to be kicked off by 2014

CAPTAINSPEAK/RAJIV GUPTA

, secretary to the state government's Kalpsar project, has been instrumental in implementing several water conservation and management programmes in the country. He is also the managing director of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat (TCGL).

He has even served the Turkish government as an advisor for the $32 billion Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (IIDP). Gupta spoke to Business Standard.

What are your plans for the Kalpsar project?

We have completed the alignment of the dam and the drilling required for the foundation is to be determined. We are in the final stages of external input assessment and are in the process of developing a framework for public-private participation with the help of the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB).

When is this project expected to be complete?

The detailed project report (DPR) is expected to be completed by the end of 2006. It would take six more years to complete the construction work. Arranging finance may also take a year or so. It may be safely said that the we will start getting power from the turbine from the year 2014 onwards.

Are you seeking funds from international organisations like ADB or World Bank ?

Not now, we are at present talking to top national organisations in the power sector. However, we plan to approach international funding agencies including the World Bank and ADB, once the detailed project report (DPR) is completed.

How is the raising of the height of the Narmada dam to 110 metres going to help reduce water scarcity?

More water quantity could be reaped by raising the height of the dam to 110 metres. The water will directly flow the dam into the canal.

What will be the benefits for people living in the remote areas of the Kutch?

The Narmada pipeline goes to the Kutch and Saurashtra region. At present more than 100 villages of the Kutch region are benefiting from the pipeline.

How are you going to attract private companies to participate in the Kalpsar project?

Once the DPR is finalised, we will identify the components for which the private sector can be lured. Private sector can be used for 11000 square kilometres of land reclamation. They can also help in developing 64 kilometres road linking Saurashtra with South Gujarat. With the new road, the distance between Amreli to Surat will be reduced to four hours from nine hours at present. We will save more than Rs 1000 crore on fuel per annum.

Which are the private companies that have shown interest in the Kalpsar project?

At the inaugural session of the project at Bhavnagar, various companies like Tata Power, Essar Group, Nirma, Torrent showed interest in the project.

As you are also the managing director of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat (TCGL), what are your plans for the next three years?

We have found the dinosaur fossil at Balasinore, which was the second largest in the world. Our plan is to develop the Balasinore Dinosaur Fossil Park with the help of the central government. We plan to restart the Royal Orient Train after Navratri this year. The train, which is a major attraction for foreign tourists, was off the tracks due to the gauge conversion.