Sardar Sarovar: A Boon or a Disaster

Sardar Sarovar Project in Gujarat has been a much debated and controversial project since its very inception. Many years have passed and still the project has not been fully completed. Yet the project has been referred to as the lifeline of Gujarat is primarily an arid state with scarcity of water for agriculture as well as drinking purposes. The bone of contention is the rehabilitation issue of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) because of which the project came under judicial scrutiny and the issue lay dormant for many years in the Supreme Court. The contending group, the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) has always felt that not enough work has been done for the PAFs. However, the government of Gujarat has worked out an ideal plan for the purpose of the rehabilitation of those affected by the project . The project hopes to see completion by the year 2008-2009.