Blaming Maharashtra for the delay in completing the project, Patel said the neighbouring state has adopted “delaying tactics to deprive the people of Gujarat of the benefits accruing from the project”.

Madhya Pradesh has, on the other hand, requested NCA to grant permission to Gujarat to install radial gates and construct spillway piers before the monsoon sets in, he added.

A senior SSNNL official said he did not see any possibility of the installation of radial gates and construction of piers and overhead bridges at the dam before the monsoon this year.

The NCA would give its final nod to Gujarat only after considering the reports to be submitted by the R&R and Environment sub-groups. “These two sub-groups will have at least two to three more rounds of discussions with officials of the three beneficiary states,” the official said.

The Narmada dam height continues to stand at 121.92 metres for the last two years, with Gujarat awaiting the NCA nod since then to install the radial gates and construct the spillway piers. “We have kept ready 30 steel radial gates for the last two years. But they cannot be installed until the NCA gives its final nod,” the official said.

He added:“It’s because of a tug-of-war between the two neighbouring states that the dam project is not being completed and Gujarat continues to bear the brunt of it.”