By our correspondent, Mumbai, 2 May 2013

Addressing the Indian Merchants’ Chamber & All India Business Council gathering in Mumbai, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi raised the issue of Narmada dam gates, this time in context of Maharashtra state.

Shri Modi said that due to absence of gates over Narmada dam Maharashtra is incurring loss of around Rs 400 crore per year. He said if gates are erected, power supply to Maharashtra from hydro plant can be doubled.

Shri Modi said, “as per the agreement, highest power from Narmada dam’s hydro power station is supplied to Madhya Pradesh followed by Maharashtra. Gujarat is on third number when it comes to supply of power from Narmada dam. Due to lack of permission from central government, gates are not errected and that is causing anual loss worth Rs 400 crore to Maharashtra. If gates are erected, power supply to Maharashtra from Narmada dam can be doubled.”

Modi said he doesn’t know why centre is not permitting erection of gates. Even after permission is granted, the task of fixing the gates will take three years.

Modi said he has personally requested Prime Minister to grant permission for gates number of times.

“When I visit the PM and raise the issue of Narmada gates, he shows agreement to my representation, but I don’t know where the matter is stuck in Delhi. Even Maharashtra is suffering from this indecisiveness. I told PM that they can permit the gates, and it there are some rehabilitation issues involved, then gates will not be closed,” Modi said.

Also read: Narmada dam: Gujarat Congress can do this

Construction on halt at Narmada dam site: going into the details of five wasted years