SC allows MP govt to raise height of Omkareshwar dam

New Delhi, June 11 (UNI) The Supreme Court today cleared the decks for raising the height of Omkareshwar Dam Project, also known as Indira Sagar Dam Project, in Madhya Pradesh to 189 metres by closing sluice and radial gates.

A vacation bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and P P Naolekar vacated the stay granted by Madhya Pradesh High Court against raising the height of the dam on the ground that height cannot be raised till the rehabilitation of all the displaced families.

The apex court requested the High Court to dispose off the pending writ petition expeditiously and directed the parties to appear before the High Court on June 19 when the matter is fixed for hearing.

The state of Madhya Pradesh had filed an appeal against High Court order on the ground that it will harm the interest of the people as the project is aimed at generating additional power of 550 MW to meet the demand of power in the state and also to provide water for irrigation as well as for drinking.

Raising the water level of the dam's reservoir is being opposed by the Narmada Hydro-electric Development Corporation Limited.

UNI