Latest news with #Par-Tapi-Narmada
New Indian Express
a day 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
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gujarat govt stands by its decision to suspend Par-Tapi-Narmada project: Minister
The Gujarat government on Wednesday made it clear that it stands by its decision to suspend the Par-Tapi-Narmada River linking Project, and neither the state government nor the Central government has any intention to take it forward. Responding to a query at a press briefing, senior minister and spokesperson of the state government Rushikesh Patel said that the government stands by its 2022 decision of suspending the project. Patel alleged that the Opposition Congress was trying to mislead the people of Gujarat by doing politics over the issue. Asked if the government has suspended the project or cancelled it, Patel said, 'Two states are involved in the project and consent of both the states is necessary. However, we have already made our decision – the Gujarat government does not want to go ahead with the project. We have clearly informed the Central government that we (Gujarat government) do not want to move ahead with the Par-Tapi-Narmada project.' The project was suspended ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections after widespread protests against the project, mainly by tribals from south Gujarat. Later, quoting Patel, an official statement said, 'In 1980, the then government had tried to bring the Par-Tapi-Narmada project for the first time. After that, in 2011, the then union government of Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh had presented it. In 2017, the detailed project report (DPR) was prepared by the concerned ministry.' 'The announcement to suspend the project was made by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Navsari MP C R Paatil in 2022. Since then, till today, no movement has been done related to the project either by the Gujarat government or the central government,' the statement said. The statement referred to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha related to the project and said that the reply made a reference to the DPR related to the project. 'The DPR mentioned in the Rajya Sabha is that of 2017 and after 2017, no new DPR has been made public,' the statement said. 'Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Paatil has also made it clear on August 10 that neither the central government nor the state government has any intention of taking this project forward. The Gujarat government too decided not to take this project forward in a cabinet meeting. The government stands by its decision of suspending the project in 2022.' The project proposed to transfer river water from the surplus regions of the Western Ghats to the deficit regions of Saurashtra and Kutch. It proposes to link three rivers — Par, originating from Nashik in Maharashtra and flowing through Valsad, Tapi from Saputara that flows through Maharashtra and Surat in Gujarat, and Narmada originating in Madhya Pradesh and flowing through Maharashtra and Bharuch and Narmada districts in Gujarat.
