No stopping of work at dam site: PM to Gujarat MPs

New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) An all party delegation from Gujarat, incuding parliamentarians from the Congress and BJP, today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who assured them that construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam would not be stopped.

The delegation called on Dr Singh at his official residence following yesterday's meeting of the Review Committee of the Narmada Control Authority which failed to reach a consensus on the Centre's proposal to suspend contruction of the dam until resettlement and rehabilitation of the affected families was completed.

The Review Committee of the Narmada Control Authority was presided over by Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz.

The meeting was also attended by Environment Minister A Raja and the chief ministers of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

The MPs, who met the Prime Minister told reporters that Dr Singh gave the assurance that the construction of the dam would not be stopped in the larger interest of the people of the state.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday announced to go on a 51-hour fast at Sabarmati Ashram if the Centre stopped construction at the dam site.

Meanwhile, after the Prime Minister's assurance, the Congress which had called for a 'Gujarat Bandh' has withdrawn the call.

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