Construction at Narmada dam site resumes

Bharuch, 7 October 2014

Even after permission to raise the height of Narmaa dam was granted by Narmada Control Authority in mid-June this year, the Gujarat government couldn’t start construction work for installation of 30 gates over Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam due to monsoon period. Now after a period of three months, when monsoon is over and possibility of fresh inflow of water from upstream areas is negligible, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited(SSNNL) has resumed the task of installation of 30 radial gates over the dam.

After seven long years, Narmada Control Authority had granted permission of construction on Narmada dam upto full 138.68 meter height in mid-June this year(present height is 121.92 meter) following which, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel symbolically performed concrete laying task at block no. 49 on dam site.

However due to monsoon, the actual construction work couldn’t be started at that point of time. SSNNL utilized monsoon period for preparations of a majot construction task ahead.

Now for last couple of days, SSNNL has started removing dirt on dam site caused by massive inflow of Narmada water.

Around 100 laborers and engineers have started straightening work of bended steel bars over the dam site.

As per the target set by Gujarat government, Rs. 270 crore construction work will be completed in short period of 36 months( 30 working months) using 11,000 tonne reinforcement steel and 1,20,000 square meter concrete. 30 radial gates worth 13,000 tonne weight are to be installed during this process.

At full 138.68 meter height water level(FRL), the storage of water will be at 4.75 million acre ft, three times higher than present 1.27 million acre ft. This will make it possible to cover new 6.8 lakh ha area under irrigation, but this if government permit to shut down the gates. So far the permission received is only with a condition to keep gates in raised position(open).