GUJARAT - The Indian government's Narmada Control Authority (NCA) on May 17 arbitrarily decided to raise the height of the controversial Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River, in the western Indian state of Gujarat, from 90 to 95 metres. This will result in the displacement of about 10,000 families in three states - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The central government is colluding with the Hindu-chauvinist chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi to deprive tribal communities and the farmers in the Narmada valley of their land. The NCA has yet to resettle more than 3500 families displaced by the 90-metre Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Medha Patkar, the prominent campaigner against Sardar Sarovar Dam project, has appealed to supporters of human rights around the world to make their protests heard to the Indian government and the relevant state governments.
Protests can be posted or faxed to: High Commission for India, 3 Moonal Place, Yaralumla, ACT, 2600 (Fax: 02 6273 1308).
From Green Left Weekly, June 19, 2002.
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