Gandhinagar: Gujarat government today gave strong rebuttal to Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil and Bharatsinh Solanki over the issue of Narmada dam progress. Main points of Revenue Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama’s briefing are following:

-Stone was laid for Sardar Sarovar in 1961 and Congress had its governments in the Centre as well as in all states but construction could kick off only in 1987 after 26 years. Who was responsible for this delay? All related states had Congress governments but tribunal was demanded in 1968 for Narmada water distribution. Tribunal was formed in 1969 and its verdict was out in 1979 but environment clearance for the project was granted by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1987. Why so much delay happened?

-Post 1995(when BJP came to power) the Supreme Court stay was effective till 2000. Post 2000 the BJP government has taken the height of the dam from 80.3 meter to 138.68 meter. Narmada waters reached 600 km from Kevvadia for drinking water supply purpose.

-Due to delay in permission to install the gates over Narmada dam under Congress led UPA government, Gujarat suffered Rs 30,112 crore loss. Did Congress ever think about this?

-On 30th June 2004, Sardar Sarovar dam height had reached 110.64 meter and in December 2006 it reached 121.92 meter but then after the UPA government blocked permission to install gates over the dam. In these 7.5 years, daily Rs 11 crore loss was suffered in addition to loss of power, agri produce and interest – in total Rs 30,112 loss was suffered by the State for which the people of Gujarat will never forgive Congress.

-Then Chief Minister Narendra Modi had to do fast agitation in response to negative approach of then UPA government in order to achieve 121.92 meter height of dam.

-Shri Narendra Modi after becoming Prime Minister, gave approval for installation of gates on 12 June 2014 on 17th day. The dam is now 138.68 meter high. Permission to close the gates was also given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

-With closure of gates, Narmada dam will have storage of 4.73 million acre ft water. As on today 2.39 million acre ft water has been stored.

-14.23 lakh hectare irrigation capacity has been developed under Sardar Sarovar project. Total 71,748 km network has to be built, of which 49,400 km canal network work is over which includes 458 km main canal 100%, branch canal 2579 km out of 2731 km(94%), sub branch canal 4126 of 4569 km(90%), minor 12,391 km of 15670 km(79%), sub minor 29,759 of 48,320 km(61%) – in total 50,000 km work has been over out of total 71,748 km.

-Each year 9,000 to 10,000 km canal length work takes place. As per the BISAG satellite imagery survey in command area of Sardar Sarovar project, 13 lakh hectare Narmada water irrigation coverage in Kharif and Rabi has been achieved.

-Congress should stop doing false propaganda.

-Apart from irrigation, 4 crore people across 7397 villages and 164 towns get drinking water through 1,22,700 km underground pipeline.BJP government has brought permanent solution to problem of water.

DeshGujarat