The broad facts are that the NCA, chaired by the union water resources secretary, cleared the enhanced height of 121.92 m on March 8. This was done after action taken reports on R&R had been vetted by the high level Grievance Redressal Authority, set up in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh respectively at the instance of the Supreme Court, and thereafter approved by the Narmada R&R and environmental sub-groups of the NCA. This is not to say that physical or perceptional gaps and flaws might not still remain in some minds. But these are all subject to review and correction. Indeed the new Water Resources Minister had himself said that he needed to be fully satisfied and had announced his intention of convening a meeting of the ministerial level Review Committee of the NCA to go over the ground again.

There was accordingly no need for an ultimatum to halt raising the height of the dam immediately. There is a limited working season remaining within which to raise the dam to the newly approved height and take defensive measures for protection of the structure at this level before the July floods. Therefore stoppage of work would be unwarranted and expensive, especially as the dam at 121.92 m will irrigate an additional 3.6 lakh ha, provide drinking water over a longer reach of Narmada canal offtakes, and generate up to 1450 MW of power at the river bed and canal head hydel stations. These are no small gains and will benefit millions, including small and marginal farmers, and trigger further employment and income generation. Special provision can be made, including a compensation package for those — if any — eligible for R&R but inadequately provided for, or not at all, should they suffer submergence.

... contd.