NGT should freeze Mapithel dam project, says MDAVO
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 06 2015 :
Following the order issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi against the Maheshwar dam project in Madhya Pradesh, the Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation (MDAVO) said that the NGT should also freeze the Mapithel Dam construction since the project proponent has been attempting to complete the construction of the dam while Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) matter has not been completed.
The Maheshwar dam, started in the 1970s, is one of the 30 mega dams in Narmada valley.
The target is to generate 400 MW of power.
The Union Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) granted Environment Clearance for the project in 2001 after 22 years following the conditional environment clearance in 1994 .
On October 28, the NGT, Principal Bench, New Delhi passed an order against the construction by directing "no to lowering/closure of the gates" without the completion of Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) .
MDAVO claimed that the issue of Maheshwar dam and Mapithel dam constructions resemble to a great extent.
Moreover, statements of the State Government on R&R status were manipulative.
The pertinent fact is that, so far, the State Government has paid R&R package to around 700 houses which is about 36 per cent of the total population.
The rest 64 per cent of the population was ignored, MDAVO maintained.