Gandhinagar, Aug. 10 -- The Ukai-Kakrapar Multipurpose Project, built on the Tapi River, continues to play a crucial role in meeting the irrigation, power, drinking water and industrial needs of Gujarat, particularly in the southern part of the state.

Located at Ukai village in Songadh taluka of Tapi district, the project is one of the state's oldest major multipurpose projects. Its foundation was laid in 1949, even before Gujarat came into existence as a separate state.

The project was developed in two phases. The first phase involved construction of the 633.50-metre-long Kakrapar Weir between 1949 and 1954. The second phase began with the construction of the Ukai Dam in 1964, following approvals from the Planning Commission in 1961 an...