Rain stops work on Narmada dam

Jumana Shah and Yashpal Parmar

VADODARA/AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has again missed the opportunity to tap Narmada waters during monsoon. Even after a protracted national debate, Sardar Sarovar Nigam could not raise the height of the dam to 121.92 metres as the construction work has come to a grinding halt at 119 metres.

Further work on Gujarat's most debated and coveted project will now be completed only after the monsoon. "Work has been stalled since the past three days due to heavy rainfall. As soon as the rain lets up, work could be resumed, but the construction will now be completed only in October," director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited PK Laheri said.

Due to heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh, water level in Narmada dam has increased to 111.83 from previous of 111.20 meters in 24 hours. Despite the water flowing into dam, construction will not be affected for another 13 blocks with six metres of spare area to store new water. 

Moreover, in case of emergency, the authorities have the option of riverbed powerhouse canal, head powerhouse and all sluices, which may be considered to release the extra water. But at the dam site, authorities are not inclined to restart work for the remaining three metres the monsoon eases. Talking to DNA, chief engineer, OP Gulati said, "In order to keep concrete quality intact, work has been halted."