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The inordinate delay in completing the multi-crore Sardar Sarovar dam project has assumed political overtones, with the BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat locking horns with the Congress-NCP-led Maharashtra government over the issue.
In fact, Gujarat went one step ahead on Friday when Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) chairman N V Patel, a close confidante of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, held the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre responsible for the delay.
“The Narmada Control Authority (NCA) acting directly under the influence of Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz has been dilly-dallying in granting an approval to Gujarat to install 30 steel radial gates and construct concrete spillway piers and an over bridge at the dam, so as to raise the dam height from the present 121.92 metres to its full height of 138.68 metres,” Patel alleged.
He accused the Centre of acting against the interests of Gujarat. He told Newsline, “The delay in completing the work on the dam could end only if the BJP comes to power at the Centre.”
The NCA had been constituted to ensure speedy completion of the project, but instead it has started creating hurdles in the completion of the dam, considered the lifeline of Gujarat, he added.
“The Gujarat government has already spent about Rs 27,000 crore on the project, including on the main canal. If one calculates 10 per cent interest on this expenditure, Gujarat incurs a loss of Rs 2,700 crore a year. The dam height continues to stand at 121.92 metres for the last two years and since
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The claim of SSNNL and Gujarat Govt ("SSNNL blames Centre, Maharashtra for delaying dam project" in IE, Jan 31, 09) is completely WRONG. The Gujarat Govt has absolutely no case of demanding raising of the dam height and if there is any loss due to non increase in dam height as claimed by it, it is in fact Gujarat Govt that is responsible for the losses and the officials and ministers of GOG should be held accountable for this. As per information from govt, Gujarat is able to use hardly 7% of the water available at the dam in a calender year. What is stopping the govt from building the canals to ensure that indeed the water CURRENTLY available at the dam is put to use? The dam itself is not getting filled, EVEN AT CURRENT HEIGHT, due to lack of water in the river and upstream use in Madhya Pradesh. Due to this, the power genertion at SSP has in fact reduced in 2008. It is clear that there is no justification in demand for increase in height of the dam. IE SHOULD RAISE THESE ISSUES.