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It
is true that irrigation area and power generation capacity
increase with the construction of big dams, but it is a
very challenging task to build these large dams as the
work entails a number of complexities and difficulties.
Accomplishing this complex task needs well-conceived
planning, adequate financial resources, administrative
deftness, sense to meet the deadline in time and constant
monitoring.
We
had taken unto us the responsibility of constructing
Indira Sagar, Sardar Sarovar, Omkareshwar Project and
other dam projects on river Narmada and making them
result-oriented keeping in view requirements of the state
by making well-conceived strategies. It is not worth
mentioning the conditions that prevailed four years ago,
but all those connected with the concerned area know very
well that during that period neither the work on these
projects could be done as fast as it should have been nor
the projects could materialise up to their expectations.
In
fact, only strong will power and right assessment of the
work form the real basis of completing them in time. I
would like to quote an example of swiftness of work here.
That stupendous task was raising the height of inter-state
Sardar Sarovar dam. The work was lying pending till our
government took over four years ago. The major hurdle in
this work was relocation of oustees, but we undertook the
challenging task and completed it with quickness and
satisfaction. It also led to approval by Narmada Control
Board to raise the dam’s height to 121.92 metres. The
approval was pending for a long time. We were also
concerned about getting the power share of the state from
this project at the earliest and we succeeded in getting
our share of 443 crore units very quickly.
Maximum
power generation is the crying need of the hour in view of
developing industries as well as catering to the
requirements of growing population. To this effect role of
Narmada valley projects was very crucial. The time of four
years ago was etched in our memories when people, farmers
and industrialists had faced an unprecedented power
crisis. Electricity has been among the top priorities of
our government. Therefore, we included the dam projects in
our plans to meet power demand and chalked out a
well-conceived strategy to complete these projects at the
earliest. I would like to mention here in the 1972 master
plan of Narmada Valley Development Authority, 11 large
dams projects were identified. Later, eight small and six
very small power projects were included taking the power
generation capacity to 3204 mw.
During
the last four years, we have completed work of four mega
dams in a phased manner and attained the capacity to
generate 2226.5 mw power. Now we are getting 1000 mw from
Indira Sagar, 826.5 from Sardar Sarovar, 390 mw from
Onkareshwar Main Project and 10 mw from Bargi canal
project. Work on rest of the project is fast progressing
and we hope to add 195 mw more power by the end of
financial year 2007-08.
The
onus of state’s progress lies with mega dams. Farmers
form major part of our population and they have to become
co-partners in the increase in agricultural products so
that our economy makes progress and remains strong.
Everyone in the world these days is concerned over the
phenomena of global warming due to which groundwater level
is plummeting day by day. Number of rainy days has come
down alarmingly leading to paucity of water. Everyone
shudders when he imagines about the future. During the
last years we always remained alert to ensure every
possible way to make water available for irrigation. So
far as Narmada valley development projects are concerned,
we have implemented our strategy effectively.
I
am satisfied while mentioning that during the last four
years we have extended Narmada valley project’s benefits
to one lakh 16 thousand and 731 hectare added irrigation
areas. It is also remarkable that out of this, 67
thousand, 542-hectare irrigation area has been added in
only 2006-07. Our work has not ended here only. Soon we
would be able to take water to additional 30 thousand
hectare irrigation areas through 16 distribution canals of
Indira Sagar Project. Work on Omkareshwar, Indira Sagar
and Upper Veda projects is still continuing with rapid
pace and these works would gift us more irrigation area.
As I said these projects are giving us great benefits of
irrigation and power but there are some emotional and
sensitive issues attached to them also which could have
been addressed to in a better way to understanding people’s
grievances and expectations. Since we were sincere and
dedicated we succeeded on this front also. In fact, I am
talking about the sensitive issue of rehabilitating and
relocating of the oustees from the submergence areas of
these mega dams. We have also carried out our
responsibilities and role in this highly sensitive and
humane aspect.
As
far as Indira Sagar projects are concerned, 40 thousand 26
families affected by this project were to be rehabilitated
in 212 villages in the submergence area. So far, 40
thousand 20 families have been rehabilitated. These
include 6,166 families of old Harsud also. This project
has affected 75 villages completely and 136 villages and
Harsud township partly. Awards have been passed in all
these villages. In all, 44 thousand 741 hectare land was
acquired. Compensation to the tune of Rs 22,372 lakh,
special rehabilitation package to the tune of Rs 22,530
lakh and transport grant of Rs 1767 have been disbursed.
All the 34 rehabilitation sites have been fully developed.
I would like to make it clear that we are fully committed
to the rehabilitation of the six families yet to be
rehabilitated even they have joined hands with Narmada
Bachao Andolan in opposing the dam.
Similarly,
we have rehabilitated 3169 out of 4592 families affected
by Omkareshwar project. They were given Rs 6526 lakh as
compensation, Rs 1570 lakh as special rehabilitation
package and Rs 145 lakh transport grant. Process is on to
rehabilitate rest of the oustees. The reservoir height of
Omkareshwar dam is 196.60 feet and 30 villages are to be
partially submerged. Out of these, there are three
villages where only government land would be affected.
Therefore, acquisition award was passed for only 30
villages and 2797 land was acquired.
The
rehabilitation package has been given to 24 thousand 421
families affected by Sardar Sarovar Dam’s height up to
121.92 metres. Similarly, we have given rehabilitation
packages to 36 thousand 350 families out of 38 thousand
378 families who were affected by raising the dam height
up to 138.68 metre. Process to rehabilitate the rest of
families is on. In the same way, the process to
rehabilitate oustees of Maan and Jobat project has also
been completed. Action plan for oustees of Upper Betwa
project has been chalked out under which process to
rehabilitate 577 families is still on while 172 families
have been provided rehabilitation package.
The
present government is alive and active for the benefit of
legible families affected by dam projects and we are fast
approaching our target.
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