Question : BENEFITS TO DROUGHT AREAS DUE TO SARDAR SAROVAR PROJECT

(a) whether drought affected areas of many of the States are expected to be benefited by Sardar Sarovar Project;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the implementation of this project is being delayed without any reason due to which the estimated cost of this project is over running;

(d) if so, the initial estimated cost of this project alongwith the cost thereof at present; and

(e) the names of States that have requested for the implementation of the said project and the actions taken by the Union Government thereon?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) & (b) Yes sir, Drought affected areas of the Gujarat and Rajasthan are to get irrigation facilities from Sardar Sarovar Project.

(c) Implementation of the project has been delayed primarily due to suspension of the work from 1995 to 2000 during the pendency of Writ Petition (Civil) No.319/1994 in the Hon`ble Supreme Court filed by Narmada Bachao Andolan and due to slow progress of Resettlement & Rehabilitation of the project affected persons.

(d) The initial estimated cost of this project was Rs.6406.04 crore at 1986-87 price level as per investment clearance granted by the Planning Commission in October 1988. Recently, the Government of Gujarat has submitted the revised estimate of the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Project at 2005-06 price level costing Rs.35045.75 crore for approval.

(e) Irrigation is a Sate subject and planning, funding execution of project as well as priority of execution of the project is within the purview of the concerned State Government. The project is being implemented by the State Governments of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.