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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Thousands rally in Dharampur against Par-Tapi-Narmada link project
Surat: Thousands of protesters, including tribal communities from across south Gujarat, thronged Dharampur in Valsad on Thursday to oppose the Par-Tapi-Narmada river link project. Organized by the Dam Sangharsh Samiti, marched peacefully under the watch of a heavy police deployment. The protest was led by Vansda Congress MLA Anant Patel and Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda, who addressed the crowd alongside other leaders. The rally echoed the sentiments of a similar movement in 2022, which erupted following budgetary allocations for the project announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The 2022 protests led to the suspension of the project after Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel declared its cancellation. However, recent allegations by Anant Patel that the govt has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the river link have reignited the movement. In response to these claims, state govt spokesperson cabinet minister Rushikesh Patel asserted on Wednesday that the project remains suspended. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This year's most comfortable shoes are a hit with the over-40 crowd Ultra-Comfortable Shoes Undo Valsad BJP MP Dhaval Patel further supported this stance by releasing a letter from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, confirming the project's cancellation. He accused certain Congress leaders of misleading the tribal community for political gain. Despite the govt's assurances, the rally in Dharampur highlights the deep-seated concerns and mistrust among the tribal communities regarding the project's potential impact on their lands and livelihoods. The disciplined and peaceful nature of the protest underscores the community's resolve to protect their interests. "It is now clear that the DPR was prepared in 2017 by the BJP govt. We do not believe the verbal assurances of suspension, and the govt should release a white paper declaring that the project will never take place," said Anant Patel. It is claimed by Congress leaders that the river linking project could potentially impact over 50,000 families. If the proposed dams are constructed connecting the rivers, several villages may face submersion in the dam waters. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tribal uprising erupts in Gujarat as controversial Par-Tapi-Narmada River Link Project resurfaces
AHMEDABAD: Three years after the Gujarat government declared the Par-Tapi-Narmada River Link Project "cancelled," the controversial initiative has stormed back into headlines, triggering fierce protests in the state's tribal belt. A recent mention of its Detailed Project Report (DPR) in the Lok Sabha has reignited tensions, leading to a massive rally in Dharampur, Valsad, where thousands of tribal villagers, backed by Congress leaders, vowed to resist the project with a clear message: "No dam, no displacement." The project, which threatens to submerge 118 villages and displace nearly five lakh people—mostly tribals—has long been a flashpoint between development promises and tribal rights. Despite Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's 2022 announcement cancelling the initiative, fresh revelations about the DPR being presented in Parliament have shattered the fragile calm, sparking outrage across South Gujarat. On August 14, thousands gathered in Dharampur under the banner of the "Dam Removal Committee," with Congress leaders Amit Chavda and Vansda MLA Anant Patel marching alongside villagers. Anant Patel accused the BJP of "double-speak," citing parliamentary replies that confirmed the DPR's existence despite state claims of cancellation. "Rajya Sabha replies confirm the DPR for the Par-Tapi-Narmada project is ready—that's why we submitted an application today through the Par-Tapi Sangharsh Samiti," said Patel. "Our demand is simple: scrap this project and present a white paper. BJP MP Dhaval Patel should read the facts before fooling tribals. Next, we'll take this fight to Dang." Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda went further, alleging a deliberate attempt to seize tribal land while misleading the community with contradictory statements. "Efforts are underway to snatch the forest land of Gujarat's tribal community, while ministers peddle lies to mislead them," Chavda said. "On one hand, the government denies any DPR exists; on the other, Parliament is told it's prepared. They claim the project is cancelled, yet official replies say it's only off the priority list—not scrapped." The proposed project involves nine dams across the Par, Tapi, and Narmada rivers, with the stated aim of supplying water to Mumbai, Saurashtra, and Kutch. However, tribal leaders argue that this "development" comes at the cost of erasing entire communities. The Zari Dam on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border and the Kelvan Dam in Tapi district alone would displace thousands, submerging ancestral lands and forests. In response, Gujarat Health Minister and government spokesperson Hrishikesh Patel reiterated the state's stance: "Since 2022, the Gujarat government has made it clear the Par-Tapi-Narmada Link project stands cancelled and will not happen in Gujarat. The state suspended the project that year, and neither the Centre nor the state has taken any decision on it since." But for the tribal communities of South Gujarat, the rally was a warning—their fight will not end until the project is formally and permanently scrapped. With emotions running high and police deployed in anticipation of unrest, the battle over land, water, and survival shows no signs of fading.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Congress MLA Anant Patel says will go ahead with Aug 14 protest
Congress MLA and Tribal leader Anant Patel on Wednesday said the protest against the Par-Tapi-Narmada river link project will be held as planned at Dharampur in Valsad on August 14. He made the announcement after BJP MP Dhaval Patel, in a press conference, released a letter received from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry which states that the Par-Tapi-Narmada river link project has been discontinued. On August 10, Dhaval Patel wrote a letter to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti seeking the current status of the Par-Tapi-Narmada river link project. In its reply, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry said: 'In the 21st Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR), meeting held on 14th December 2023, this project was also reviewed, and it was recorded that the ministry has discontinued this project from the status of Priority links under NPP.' A copy of the document, signed by Senior Joint Commissioner Avanti Verma of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, is with The Indian Express. Speaking on the occasion, Dhaval Patel accused the Congress of spreading fake information on the Par-Tapi-Narmada link project. 'The Central and state governments had in 2022-23 clarified that such a project had been discontinued. Today, we have received an official letter from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti stating that the project has been discontinued. The DPR (Detail Project Report), which the Congress leader released, was of 2017,' Dhaval Patel said. Reacting to the remarks of the Valsad MP, the Congress MLA said he does not have faith in the BJP government and that the protest against the project will be held as planned. 'The state Cabinet discussed the issue today (Wednesday) and the government said that the project has been discontinued. I don't have faith in the BJP government. We will go ahead with our protest on August 14 at Dharampur town,' Anant Patel said. 'Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel should come out and give us a clarification on the issue. Otherwise, we will go ahead with our protest,' the Vansda MLA added.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Par-Tapi-Narmada linking project has not been revived: Gujarat minister
Ahmedabad, Aug 13 (PTI) The Gujarat government on Wednesday said it deferred the implementation of the Par-Tapi-Narmada river linking project in 2022, and there has been no change in its stand since then. The clarification came days after tribal leader and Congress MLA Anant Patel threatened to launch a fresh agitation, claiming that a Detailed Project Report or DPR has been prepared by the Union government which indicated that the project was under fresh consideration. Following protests by tribals fearing displacement, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had in May 2022 announced that the project had been scrapped. Talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel said the state government was firm on its stand. 'This project was proposed when Congress was in power at the Centre. It was then revived by then prime minister Manmohan Singh. A DPR was prepared and submitted by the concerned ministry in 2017. DPRs are never tabled in Parliament or legislative assemblies (as claimed by Congress)," Patel told reporters. 'This project was postponed in 2022 by our CM and we are firm on our stand since then. From 2022 till today, neither the state nor Centre has taken any decision to revive the project. After the last DPR, no new DPR has been prepared," he said. Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil has already clarified on August 10 that neither the state nor the Centre had any plans to go ahead with the project, Patel said, alleging that some people are doing politics 'by inciting innocent tribal people." Congress MLA Anant Patel alleged a few days ago that the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, admitted that the project's DPR has been completed and tabled in Parliament. Rushikesh Patel, however, said the Jalshakti ministry mentioned the 2017 DPR, and there was no new DPR. The Congress, meanwhile, is going to organise a mega-gathering of tribals at Dharampur in Valsad district on August 14 to protest against the project and seek further clarification from the government, said Valsad district Congress president Kishan Patel. State Congress president Amit Chavda will also attend the gathering, he said. The Par-Tapi-Narmada linking project proposed to transfer water from the water surplus regions of the Western Ghats to deficit regions of Saurashtra and Kutch. It involves the construction of seven reservoirs in north Maharashtra and south Gujarat. PTI PJT PD KRK view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 20:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
War of words erupts over river linking project
Surat: Ahead of a rally on Thursday announced by the Congress party in Dharampur, to protest the Par Tapi Narmada river linking project, a war of words has begun between political leaders. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Congress's Vansda MLA Anant Patel called for the rally and urged tribals to join in large numbers to protest the project, while BJP leaders claimed that the scrapping of the project has already been announced. Patel said the govt prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and this is why the protest campaign has restarted. BJP leaders, including C R Paatil, countered by accusing Patel of misleading the public, asserting that the project has been scrapped, as was previously announced by the govt. Union water resources minister Paatil accused the Congress of spreading false information about the Par Tapi Narmada river linking project. The BJP leader urged people not to be swayed by misinformation. "The Congress has recently been raising the issue to gain political mileage among tribal people. The BJP govt is committed to safeguarding the interests of tribal communities and would never implement any plan that harms them," Paatil said. Reacting to Paatil's comments, MLA Anant Patel demanded a clarification from the govt in writing. "Over 1 lakh people are going to be affected by the project and we will continue our campaign until the govt announces it officially in writing. They should declare in a white paper in Parliament that this project is not going to take place," said Anant Patel. Valsad BJP MP Dhaval Patel weighed in, labelling the Congress MLA's allegations "misinformation". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The BJP's assertion is that the Congress is attempting to instigate unrest among the local population by reviving a defunct project. "The scrapping of the project was announced by the govt in 2022 and no work is being done. Congress is losing elections in the region; hence, in search of support, they are misguiding tribals. This rally is being organized to save Congress's existence in this region," the Valsad MP said. The river linking project, which has been a contentious issue in the region, is seen by some as a potential boon for development, while others fear it could lead to environmental degradation and social disruption.
