MP HC directs GRA to study backwater effect in Omkareshwar dam

Jabalpur, Apr 20 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court, through its interim order, has extended the stay on the closure of dam gates of the Omkareshwar dam and directed the state government to present a report within 10 days after a detailed study on the backwater effect when the dam was filled.

Hearing a petition on the rehabilitation of the people displaced due to the Omkareshwar project yesterday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Anang Kumar Patnaik and Justice Krishnakant Lahoti gave the direction to the state government and the Grievance Redressal Authority (GRA).

The petitioner told the court that the rise in the backwater level when the dam got filled during the next monsoon season could bring about 80 villages in the submergence zone.

The petition stated that the displaced had neither been rehabilitated nor been provided land in lieu of land.

The petitioner requested the court to give directions for providing adequate compensation to the displaced and allocate land and other facilities for their rehabilitation.

The High Court directed the GRA to study in detail the backwater effect when the water level reached 189 m and present a report within 10 days.

The court also directed the Central Water Commission to cooperate in this regard. The next hearing has been fixed on May 1.

On March 30, the High Court had directed to maintain status quo over the closure of Omkareshwar dam gates and stayed the stopping of facilities regarding water and power in the submergence zone.

Senior counsel Ravishankar Prasad and state Advocate General Ravinandan Singh presented the case on behalf of the government and NHDC, while Ms Chitroopa Palit represented the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

UNI