(a) whether the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have urged the Union Government to reduce the height of Narmada Dam (Sardar Sarovar Dam) to 19 metres;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the decision taken by the Government in this regard ?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a), (b) and (c) The Government of Gujarat, Maharashtra
and Rajasthan have not approached the Government of India for
reduction in height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
However, during hearing of the Writ Petition filed by NBA in
the Supreme Court the Government of Madhya Pradesh has pleaded
for reduction in the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam from 138.68 m.
to 132.89 m. on the plea that it will reduce the submergence area
and the number of project affected families. A complaint from
Government of Madhya Pradesh under Section -3 of the Inter-State
Water Disputes Act, 1956 and a request to refer to a Tribunal for
adjudication of the dispute with regard to the use, distribution
and control of the Waters of the Inter-State River Narmada was
also received on 23.3.1998 wherein the Government of Madhya
Pradesh had sought readjudication through a new tribunal on
various grounds including reduction in FRL from 138.68 m. to
132.89 m. among others.
However, in the opinion of Government of India the
application received from Government of Madhya Pradesh was in
contravention to the provisions contained in the Inter-State
Water Disputes Act, 1956 and therefore untenable. The Government
of Madhya Pradesh was informed accordingly on 30.3.1999.