Bhadbhut is a multipurpose project that includes an oil refinery, petrochemicals complex, and power generation facilities. It caters to the demands of Gujarat as an inter-state trade hub for crude oil and petroleum products. The Inland Waterway Authority of India has given clearance for this project. The project has faced protests from local fishermen because it is likely to impact fishing patterns, mainly those of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha).
It is located across the river Narmada, 5 km from Bhadbhut village and 25 km from the mouth of the river, where it flows into the Gulf of Khambhat.
The Bhadbhut Project offers a unique and innovative approach to tourism at this location. It will not only showcase the archaeological remains of a prosperous ancient port city, but also foreground its aesthetic beauty by creating an organic connection between nature and culture in the form of an eco-archaeo resort.
The project is part of the larger Kalpasar Project, which entails the construction of a 30-km dam across the Gulf of Khambhat between Bharuch and Bhavnagar districts.
The Bhadbhut Project was designed to prevent salinity ingress. The project includes two main components: short & long term. In the short term, the replacement of old water pipelines with new PVC pipes has been initiated. This will allow for the drainage of water from agricultural lands into new channels which lead directly to the Arabian Sea for further distribution back into seawater.
The Bhadbhut Project is a water conservation project; it will stop most of the excess water flowing out of the Sardar Sarovar Dam from reaching the sea and will create a sweet water lake of 600 MCM (million cubic meters) on the river, solving the freshwater problems in Bharuch.
The Bhadbhut Project is a project that will tap the excess waters of the Narmada, Mahisagar and Sabarmati rivers in the reservoir.
The barrage is expected to interfere with the migration and breeding cycle of hilsa, blocking their natural entry.
Part of Aliya Bet, an island in the delta of the Narmada and known for shrimp farming, is likely to get submerged.
