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Noted environmentalist Sunder Lal Bahuguna, who was opposing the project, has also agreed to evacuate, but on the condition that he would be the last to leave Tehri. His disciple, Gopal Singh Rana, has demanded government jobs for his two sons before leaving the town. When reports last came in, Bahuguna, Rana and four other members of their families were still in the old town.

8216;8216;We are trying to persuade these people to come to safer areas,8217;8217; said Punit Kansal, the District Magistrate of Tehri. His officials maintained a nightlong vigil on Thursday and deputed a special police team to rescue the stranded people on a motor boat. The residents have been rehabilitated at the New Tehri township, overlooking the dam project.

While the project authorities and the state government had declared the old town unsafe long ago, more than 100 people were still staying there in the hope of a better rehabilitation package. District officials today said that nearly all the residents have been rehabilitated.

The DM told The Indian Express that in the next couple of days the water-level of the reservoir would depend on the rains and discharge from the Maneri Bhali hydro-electric project in Uttarkashi.