Project to revive the northern branch of Sukhbhadar river

AHMEDABAD 11 – 4 -2025

The work to revive the northern branch of Sukhbhadra river below Kotda cut weir was started at Adwal in Dhandhuka taluka. The archaeologically famous Lothal port was located on the Sukhbhadra river. An ancient city called Rangpur was discovered on the bank. Cities like Dhandhuka, Dholera and Rangpur are located on the banks of this river.

Bhoomipujan ceremony was held for the revival of the northern branch of Sukhbhadra river below Kotda cut weir at Adwal village in Dhandhuka taluka.

The revival of this river will bring many benefits to the local people and farmers of the surrounding villages.

The rivers which are expected to get water from the Kalpasar project are Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhardhar, Narmada (through diversion canal), Limdi Bhogao, Sukhbhadar, Utthi, Keri and Vagad.

Apart from this, the direction of many rivers is being diverted by building embankments to prevent waterlogging in Smart City Dholera.

Sukhbhadra River is a tributary of Sabarmati River. This river joins Sabarmati River at Vautha. This river is 194 km long and its drainage area is 2118 sq km.

Goma River is the main branch of Sukhbhadar River, on which Goma Dam is situated. Sukhbhadar Dam is situated on Sukhbhadar River. Sukhbhadar Dam is located near Mota Bhadla village of Botad. Its catchment area is 495 sq km.

The maximum flood occurred in 2007, when the amount of water was 146.65 cusecs and the water level was 109.2 meters.

Other rivers flowing eastwards in Saurashtra include the two Bhogavo rivers (one passes near Muli and Wadhwan and the other flows near Limbdi), the Sukhbhadar near Ranpur and Dhandhuka, the Kalubhar near Umrala and the Shetrunji River flowing near Palitana and Talaja, which drains into the Gulf of Khambhat. The Goma River, a tributary of the Sukhbhadar River, joins the Sukhbhadar River near Ranpur. Other small rivers flowing south-eastwards or southwards are the Malan near Mahuva and the Rawal, Machchandri and Dhatharwadi rivers near Rajula.

Rivers in Botad
Sukhbhadar River
Ghelo River
Nilka River
Kalubar River
Keri River
Goma River
Towns on the banks of Botad River
Ranpur on the banks of Sukhbhadar River
Gadhada on the banks of Ghelo River
Bhimnath on the banks of Nilka River
Naav on the banks of fast flowing river
Botad is considered as the gateway of Saurashtra (gateway of Kathiawar).
‘Naav’ means ‘cow’. Gokhru is a thorny plant growing in the ground, which is considered an excellent medicine in Ayurveda. While the word ‘Vigyaan’ means ‘group’. Thus, Botad means the land where cowpea is found in abundance.
Just as Sukhbhadar gets the Bhal region, similarly Bhadar gets the Ghed region. From the ends of both the rivers, Bhal and Ghed get the name Kasdar. If there is a good crop of wheat in Bhal, there is also a good crop of bottle gourd.

The Sukhbhadar river originates from Madve and passes through several valleys to meet Goma near Ranpur. This path leads to a fork in the road that leads to the villages of Nagnesh, Devaliya Thatik and Rangpar. Moving forward, it spreads into the plains of Bhal Pradesh as if spreading its own form, and ends its journey in the Gulf of Khambhat.

Expenditure for Dholera Smart City

Earlier in 2016, the condition of the banks of the Adhiya River and Sukhbhadar River was not good. It also passes through flat terrain, so the flood water spreads across the entire area. Slowly flows into the sea.

For the construction of embankments, soil needs to be brought from suitable areas.

The rate of digging soil has been determined keeping in mind the average distance of 28 km.

Flood protection of the Adhiya River will be provided up to the dam.

Construction of flood embankment on Adhiya river was started in 2016 to protect Dholera Smart City. It also includes construction of 5 m wide earthen embankment.

This includes the width of the entire corridor including embankment, service lanes, sewers etc.

There is a 3.75 m wide single lane bituminous service road on top of the embankment.