BJP government’s decision 5 months before elections: Par-Tapi-Narmada link project canceled in Gujarat; CM Patel’s announcement after tribals’ protest

This project of Rs 10,211 crore was approved in the year 2010.

In view of the opposition of the tribals of South Gujarat, the Gujarat government finally announced the cancellation of the proposed Par-Tapi Narmada Link project. A joint press conference between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Gujarat BJP state president CR Patil was held in Surat today. In this, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the cancellation of the project.

The Chief Minister said that this project is being canceled in respect of the sentiments of the tribal community. Let us tell you, the tribal community was opposing this project for a long time. Assembly elections are due in Gujarat later this year. Due to this project, the BJP government was threatened with the destruction of the tribal vote bank.

CM Bhupendra Patel made the announcement in a press conference held in Surat.

Gujarat government did not give permission to the project: CM
In a press conference held at Circuit House in Surat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that this was the plan of the Central Government. Its approval was sought from the state government, but we had not given its approval till now. Even after this, an attempt was made to create misunderstanding in the tribal society against the state government. That is why the cabinet of ministers and MLAs of Gujarat government went to Delhi and presented its point in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and the idea was to close the project.

The state government was with the tribal society: CM
Referring to several schemes being run by the state government for the tribals, CM Patel said – The idea of ​​this project was prepared only after conducting a survey by the central government. But, even at that time the state government was with the tribal society. Hence it was not approved. Despite this, the opposition parties tried to create confusion among the people.

The project included seven proposed reservoirs in north Maharashtra and south Gujarat.

Union ministers were also introduced
Tribal leaders of Gujarat BJP reached Delhi to give representation to Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the river link project. A delegation of government ministers and legislators went to Delhi and apprised the central government of the sentiments of the tribal community on the issue. The central government then suspended the project.

Postcards were written for PM Modi in protest of the project
Recently a rally was organized by the tribal community in Songadh, Tapi. During this, a demand was made to cancel this project by writing 1111 postcards in the name of PM Modi. This rally of the tribal community was also supported by the Congress. Many Congress leaders including Vasanda MLA Anant Patel were present in the rally.

Through the project, water was to be sent to the water-stressed areas of Saurashtra and Kutch.

The project was worth Rs 10,211 crore
These projects were approved in the year 2010, when a tripartite agreement was signed between the central government, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Through the Par-Tapi-Narmada link project, water from the Western Ghats was to be sent to the water-stressed areas of Saurashtra and Kutch.

The link project included seven proposed reservoirs in North Maharashtra and South Gujarat. The water of the seven proposed reservoirs is 395 km. The long canal was to be taken from the Sardar Sarovar Project (on the Narmada) while irrigating the areas of the shorter route.

The seven dams proposed in this plan were Jheri, Mohankavchali, Paikheed, Chasmandawa, Chikkar, Dabdar and Kelwan. This would have saved the water of Sardar Sarovar, which would have been used for irrigation in Saurashtra and Kutch region. The link mainly consists of seven dams, three diversion weirs, two tunnels, 395 km. The construction of a longer canal, 6 power stations and several cross-drainage works were also envisaged.

For a long time the tribal society of South Gujarat was opposing it.

After all, why were the tribals and farmers protesting?
Tribal leaders say that about 50,000 people in Gujarat will be directly affected by the development of six reservoirs in Maharashtra’s Dang, Valsad and Nashik districts. Of these, three dams were to be developed in Dang, one in Valsad and two in Maharashtra.

At least 35 villages in the submergence areas of three dams to be built in Waghai taluka of Dang district were in danger of being completely submerged. The tribals said that the cost of the river linking project is Rs 10,211 crore and if the government wants to build big dams for irrigation in Saurashtra and Kutch, they should develop these dams there. There is no point in building a dam here and taking water there.

Hundreds of tribals will be displaced
Tribal leaders also say that the Center designed the project to hide the failure of the Narmada scheme. Hundreds of tribals will be displaced in Dang, Valsad and Tapi districts as a result of the project. Dang forests rich in teak and bamboo and other woods will be submerged.

Tribal leaders say that they have seen several projects like Narmada Yojna, Statue of Unity, Ukai etc where compensation for tribals displaced from their land is yet to be given.