Gujarat is a deficit State and is among the States with lowest percentage of irrigation. The Ukai multipurpose project is the largest project undertaken by the State. The oompletion of 68.58 m high Ukai project, at a cost of Rs. 108 crores, will double the irrigation potential of Gujarat from surface waters and will reduce the dependance of the State economy on arid areas which are subject to drought and scarcity. It will firm up irrigation facilities to 2,27,530 ha. under existing Kakrapar canals and will also provide additional irrigatin to 1,52,400 ha. The 300 MW power station below the dim will provide cheap hydro- electric power for farms and factories and will help village electrification programme. It will provide effective flood control to area lower down including Surat city. During construction work many defying problems cropped up. These were boldly faced by State Engineers and the project was completed in time without any foreign assistance except in the form of some machinery.
