A counter move to explain benefits of Narmada Yojana

A delegation of four members of the Narmada Abhiyan, an NGO advocating dam over the river Narmada, has started visiting cities and villages of Madhya Pradesh to explain how the rise in the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam will help the state.

This apart, the rehabilitation work in all the three state "" Gujarat, MP and Maharastra, have been almost completed.

The delegation led by Shankarlal Guru along with Natha Patel and Hasumati Gudiya, who are currently in M P, will visit all the villages which will submerged after the height of the dam is raised from 110 metres to 121.92 metres, said Jay Narayan Vyas, executive chairman of Narmada Abhiyan.

Vyas said the team will also visit villages which are highly influenced by Narmada Bachav Andolan (NBA).

"There are several villages wherein anti-NBA activists are not allowed, but our delegation will visit and explain the villagers," he added.

Talking about the power supply, Vyas said Sardar Sarovar Project altogether will generate 1,450 MW of electircity.

"There is a shortfall of 50 billion units of electricity in India and this project, once the hieght is increased, will be able to fulfil seven billion units at a cost of rupees three per unit," Vyas said. "Out of seven billion units of electricity, 57 per cent, that is around four billion, will be given to Madhya Pradesh," he added.

Vyas further said MP will receive power worth Rs 1,200 crore.

According to Vyas, around 13,770 families in MP will be affected after the height of dam is increased.

"Out of them, 2,300 families are willing to relocate in Gujarat while 3,780 families want Special Rehabilitation Package (SRP), but some how they are not able to use the rehabilitation services," Vyas said.

"But our delegation will reach there meet those families and will explain them to access rehabilitation services," he added.

Further, he said several associations, chambers of commerece and industry, institutes, organisations and individuals together have appealed for the completion of the project with proper rehabilitation.