NCA decision to lift Sardar Sarovar height unjust to people: Medha Patkar

Founder member of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Medha Patkar, on Thursday termed the decision of the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) to permit the Gujarat Government to raise the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam by 17 meters, as an unjust move against the people living in the area, and added that it is not in accordance with democratic procedures.

"Everybody knew that when Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat, it was his appeal that the height of the dam should be raised so as to complete it. But certain ministries and officials, and due to the law, and the decision of the Supreme Court, he was denied this permission," said Patkar.

"I don't think he has taken the Environment Ministry, the Water Resource Ministry and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment into confidence while taking this decision. He didn't even allow the meeting of the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) to take place," she added.

She said the decision will affect lakhs of people, and added that some vested interests in Gujarat have forced the central government to take this decision which is an injustice to the people.

"We have to keep on fighting, because we cannot justice without it," she added.

Meanwhile, in a statement released, Patkar has said, "Sardar Sarovar Dam at its present height itself has 2 lakh people in its affected region, so if the height is raised by installing 17 meters high gates, the densly populated villages in Nimad Madhya Pradesh with houses, farms, shops, temples, mosques, standing crops etc. will face a watery grave."

"Adivasi villages in the hills in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat habitating hundreds of families are also to be further submergedd. Altogether not less than 2.5 lakh people, farmer, fishworkers, potters, shopkeepers will face a deluge and devastation, without rehabilitation, if the height is raised from 122 meters to 139 meters!" she was further stated.

The NCA has reportedly issued orders to raise the height of the dam from 121 to 138 meters.

Earlier this week, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel faced her first challenge when a delegation of tribals , under the banner of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), met Nandurbar collector P. Pradip, to demand a halt to the proposed plan to raise the height of the dam.

They said any such plan should only be considered after they were relocated and rehabilitated properly.

The tribal delegation has claimed that it has presented relevant data to establish the truth regarding displacement and environment.

According to NBA, there are about 250,000 people residing in the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) submergence area in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

The NBA has reiterated that the tribals will not accept monetary compensation in lieu of land as it does not benefit them.