The water level of the Omkareshwar Dam on River Narmada, set to irrigate an area of 1.47 million hectares, benefiting 529 villages, will have to be maintained at 189 metre. An order to this effect came from the Supreme Court on Wednesday, which earlier had refused to give a nod to lower the level of water.

While urging the Apex Court to order State and Narmada Hydro-Electric Development Corporation (NHDC) to maintain water level at 189 metre, senior advocate Rajiv Dhavan argued that relief and rehabilitation measures are yet to be completed. Dhavan, who appeared for the Narmada Bachao Andolan, said: “How can they not bother about relief and rehabilitation?”

Referring to a high court order of June 2007, which also upheld the height of water level to189 metre, Dhavan argued that there is a human element, which is getting lost in the process. “Thus relief and rehabilitation must be protected,” he pleaded. Taking note of it, the Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran said, “Relief and Rehabilitation is important. The authorities must make all attempts to maintain the water level of Omkareshwar Dam Project at 189 metre.”