Narmada dam work to resume from tomorrow

Vadodara, Sep 30 (UNI) The construction work on raising the height of the controversial Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat to 121.92 metres, will resume from tomorrow.

Following the onset of monsoon in the region, on July 18, the project authorities had stopped construction work at all the 29 blocks of the dam after raising their heights to a uniform 119 metres.

Talking to UNI today, project chief engineer O P Gulati said, ''Though no deadline has been fixed to achieve the target of 121.92 metres, hopefully the project would be completed in a couple of months.'' Mr Gulati said after the approved height was achieved, another 30 months would be required for installation of 30 radial gates and construction of piers and bridges in order to fully complete the multicrore dam project at Kevadia colony bordering Madhya Pradesh.

On March 8, the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) set up by the Centre, granted permission to the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) for an increase in the dam height from 110.64 metres to 121.92 metres. Despite strong opposition by Medha Patkar-led Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), the work continued with the Apex court giving its green signal to the project with certain conditions in regard to relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.

Mr Gulati said about 200 engineers and about 1,000 labourers were all set to resume the construction work at the dam site from tomorrow and the labour force would be increased as work picks up.

''We want to finish the project as early as possible,'' he added.

According to SSNNL sources, the water level in the dam, which had set a record by overflowing at 127.48 metres in the second week of August, had now receded to 117.76 metres today as against the present dam height of 119 metres.

Though the authorities had earlier decided to resume work by the end of October, the date was advanced in view of the retreating monsoon and gradual decrease in the water level in the Narmada dam as well as in that of the Indira Sardar Project in Madhya Pradesh.

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