Gujarat govt elated, work on dam to begin at the earliest

At his post-Cabinet press briefing, Patel said the country’s apex court’s verdict fulfilled the expectations of over four crore people of the state.

Seeking co-operation of the three participatory states, he said, “I hope Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan will actively cooperate with Gujarat to help complete the SSP in time, especially when the SC itself has directed these states to implement the project as per the Tribunal Award”.

Patel said the government had abstained from politicising the Narmada issue and exercised great restraint during the years of legal battle, which has ultimately paid dividends for Gujarat. “The verdict will furtherstrengthen the people’s faith in the country’s judiciary,” he observed. Thegovernment will adopt a humanitarian approach while implementing effectively the resettlement and rehabilitation package which, he described, as the best in the world.