Dam project stopped informs Centre to SC

New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) The Central Government today informed the Supreme Court that the construction work of Sardar Sarover Dam project in Gujarat has been stopped from today in view of the onset of monsoon season.

The Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium told the bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabrawal, Mr Justice K G Balakrishnan and Mr Justice S B Sinha that the height of the dam has already been raised upto 119 m and no further construction shall be carried out during the monsoon season.

The court in its order said that in view of the submissons made by the Centre as well as state of Gujarat that the construction work has already been stopped, there is no need to issue further fresh directions to stop the work.

The court also rejected the plea of the Senior Counsel Chandi Bhushan appearing for Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) seeking to stop the construction of that seal way-blocks. The court accepted the contention of state of Gujarat that stopping of the work as seel way-blocks shall endanger the entire dam.

Mr Subramanium also praised the copy of the report submitted by V K Shunglu appointed by the Prime Minister to oversee the relief and rehabilitation measure being taken by the state of Madhya Pradesh for rehabilitation of the oustees. The court also directed to expedite the relief and rehabilitation in view of the decision taken by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July eight.

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