Panel to decide on Sardar Sarovar Dam's height

NEW DELHI: Assuring that the government was committed towards the rehabilitation of families affected by the Sardar Sarovar Dam, Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz on Friday said the review committee of the project will meet soon to consider the decision taken to increase its height.

The review committee for the Narmada Control Authority will meet under his chairmanship shortly to consider the decision taken to increase its height from 110.4 metres to 121.92 metres, Soz said in a statement here.

This is being done following representations received that the rehabilitation of the project-affected families has not been satisfactory, he said.

The government is committed to their rehabilitation in letter and spirit, and in consonance with the direction of the Supreme Court on the subject, he said.

"I have received complaints and representations that rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sadar Sarovar Dam have not been satisfactory and consequently the clearance given by the resettlement and rehabilitation sub-group and Narmada Control Authority to raise the height of the dam was prematurem," the minister said.