Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the water filled in the Omkareshwar dam up to 191 metres would not be released at any cost. While talking to mediapersons here on Saturday, Chouhan said that dam water is the need of thousands of farmers in the region and this cannot be stopped only due to the protest by only 213 people who are protesting under the guidance of some voluntary organizations including the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).
He stated that the NBA has always been against the development. Regarding Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Bishwas reaching the agitation site, Chouhan said that he had talked to Kumar informing about the actual status of rehabilitation of the affected families in the dam submergence area.
Chouhan further said that the dam can be filled up to 196 metres, but that is not needed at present. Other small irrigation projects are being prepared and when they require more water, more water could be filled in the dam, he added.