Release 1,500 cusec from Narmada dam: Gujarat government

The state government has appealed to the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) to release 1,500 cusecs of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam towards Bharuch. The request was made to save local ecology that is dependent on the river.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said: “We have appealed to the NCA through its sub group of environment to sanction release of 1,500 cusecs of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam towards Bharuch. This is for the flora and fauna and local ecology that is dependent on the Narmada river. Till the gates were open, the overflowing water trough from the dam would meet the requirement but since the gates have been closed, very less water flows towards the Arabian sea and that has also increased salinity ingress.”

Patel said the sub group of environment would study the case and give recommendations to the NCA. “Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan governments also are supposed to give their opinion on the same as they are also partner states in the project. We have requested that if the permission to release more water is granted, it should not be taken out of Gujarat’s share,” he added.