Gujarat CM thanks Modi for raising Narmada dam’s height

In a celebratory mood, the people of Gujarat, and the state chief minister Anandiben Patel thanked the prime minister, Narendra Modi, for taking expeditious action, allowing Gujarat government to construct piers, overhead bridge and installations of gates on the river Narmada, enabling raising of the height of the dam from 121.92 metres to 138.68 metres.

The Narmada Control Authority, in a meeting held at New Delhi on Thursday, allowed Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd to install gates on the Sardar Sarovar Dam. It is to be noted that the Sardar Sarovar Project is an on-going inter-state multipurpose project on river Narmada and is being constructed by the Gujarat. The project envisages hydro-power generation of 1450 MW to be shared by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In addition, it will provide irrigation benefits to 17.92 lakh hectares in Gujarat and 2.46 lakh hectares in Rajasthan. The benefitted areas covered are desert/drought prone Kutch, Saurashtra in Gujarat as also Barmer and Jalore in Rajasthan. The project would also supply drinking water in 135 urban centers and 8215 villages in Gujarat and two urban centers and 1107 villages in Rajasthan.

Various issues involved with this project had been raised before the Supreme Court and after examination of the issues involved. The SC had directed that a number of sub-groups be set up to examine the specific issues. While the other sub-groups, after detailed deliberations, had already accorded clearances, the sub-group dealing with rehabilitation and resettlement issues presented its report before the Narmada Control Authority on 12 June, 2014 in the context of Phase-1 clearance of the project.

After considering the report and deliberations amongst the four states involved, the authority allowed Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. to construct piers, overhead bridge and installations of gates as per the draft design duly complying with the conditions as laid down by the sub-groups. This would enable raising of height from 121.92 metres to 138.68 metres. The lead time required for the works would be around 30 months. 

The chief minister, Gujarat, has already commenced work on the dam on Thursday itself, pursuant to the clearance. Earlier Anandiben Patel, had met the PM recently and urged him to intervene in matter.