The Gujarat Government got the final clearance from the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) to raise the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River on Thursday. The important decision to increase the dam’s height from present 121.92 metres to 138.68 metres came after eight long years.
Co-incidentally, the NCA granted permission to raise the height of Narmada Dam, considered as ‘lifeline’ of Gujarat, by 17 metres on Narendra Modi’s 17th day as the Prime Minister of India.
Just three days back, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had urged Modi to intervene in
the matter for speedy clearance on the issue.
“The people of Gujarat and the State leadership like to thank PM Modi for taking expeditious action,” said the Gujarat CM, who, following the NCA nod, rushed to the dam site at Kevadia Colony and offered puja to commence the construction work on Thursday.
Confirming the development, JN Singh, managing director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam limited (SSNNl), said that the State Government got the formal clearance to raise the dam’s height and install the gates.
“The actual construction work at the dam site will be started immediately after monsoon in September. Preparatory work and other planning has already been initiated to complete the work as early as possible,” said Singh while talking to The Pioneer.
Though many NGOs, including Medha Patkar headed Narmada Bachao Andolan, are against the project and criticised the decision
of the NCA, Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil liberties (NCCl) backed the project wholeheartedly.
“We fought against anti-project elements for almost 12 years. We welcome the decision. PM Modi delivered what he promised,” said VK Saxena of NCCl.
The NCA was set up in December 1980 under the final orders and decision of the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) for the implementation of its directions and decision.
The NCA was formed with representatives of the four States — Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan — and is headed by Secretary, Government of India, who is the ex-officio Chairman of the authority.
It was in 2006 that the NCA had allowed the
dam height to be raised up to 121.92 metres.
The full reservoir level is 138.68 metres, and the Gujarat Government was constantly following up with the Union Government for last eight years for permission to raise dam’s height by another 17 metres.
“With its full height, there would be assured water for irrigation to an additional area of 6.8 lakh hectares and additional 40 per cent power generation. Raising of Narmada dam height will take another three years,” said a senior official in the Gujarat Chief Minister’s office.
The Sardar Sarovar Project is an on-going inter-State multipurpose project on the Narmada and is being constructed by Gujarat. The project envisages hydro-power generation of 1,450 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 benefited areas covered are drought-prone Kutch, Saurashtra in Gujarat as well as Barmer and Jalore in Rajasthan. The project would also supply drinking water in 135 urban centres and 8,215 villages in Gujarat and two urban centres and 1,107 villages in Rajasthan.
The foundation stone of the dam was laid by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, on April 5, 1961. However in 1964, dispute arose over sharing of Narmada water between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and an expert committee was appointed by the Government of India. Based on that committee’s report Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal (NWDT) was constituted in 1969.