Gujarat, MP officials hold talks to settle longstanding Sardar Sarovar Dam dispute

Bhopal: Senior officials, including Chief Secretary of Gujarat Pankaj Joshi and his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Anurag Jain, convened in Bhopal to resolve longstanding disputes over the Sardar Sarovar project, marking progress on key issues such as power sharing and compensation for submerged land.

During discussions, both states reached an agreement on the pump storage project via Gujarat’s Garudeshwar Weir within the Sardar Sarovar Project. Madhya Pradesh will participate on a conditional basis, entitling it to 57% of the electricity generated. Principles were also agreed upon for compensating government revenue, affected populations, and forest land within the submergence area.

Officials also deliberated on mutual receivables and liabilities between the states. It was decided that financial teams from both sides would finalize adjustments in the coming days. MP had approached Gujarat around five years ago seeking ₹7,600 crore for land submerged across 178 villages in Dhar, Khargone, Barwani, and Alirajpur districts. The compensation was calculated based on 2019–20 collector guideline rates.

Since March 2024, officials have been holding monthly hearings to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Continuous dialogue is expected to expedite the resolution. DeshGujarat