Modi ventures into Narmada waters

Just as it released the Narmada waters two years ago to pump life into the dying Sabarmati, the state government has a similar plan up its s...

Just as it released the Narmada waters two years ago to pump life into the dying Sabarmati, the state government has a similar plan up its sleeves to rescue the dry rivers of north Gujarat.

Rupen, Banas, Khari, Pushpavati and Saraswati are rivers in name only. The Saraswati does not even have a bed in several stretches, while the rest have no surface water. But the government is hopeful that the Narmada will help recharge them.

While the government has already started releasing water into Rupen and Banas, the other rivers will benefit from the escapes of the Narmada Main Canal NMC in a week8217;s time. The 357 km-long canal stretches up to Mosa village in Patna district.

The state had planned an elaborate function in Modhera on August 5, and two more on August 8 and 13, to welcome the arrival of the Narmada in north Gujarat. But following heavy rains in the past few days, and with more rains likely, the August 5 function has been cancelled. The other functions will be held as per schedule, unless rain plays spoilsport again.

8216;8216;It8217;s a big achievement. Now, there is a permanent source available for the dry rivers. I visited the area twice and was overwhelmed by the welcome given by the people living along the banks of Banas,8217;8217; says chief engineer S.A. Patel.

Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd officials say they would release 350 cusec into the two rivers and still enough water would be available in the future. Following heavy rain in Madhya Pradesh, the level in the Sardar Sarovar reservoir at Kevadia has already reached 100.27 m and is still rising.

Speaking to The Indian Express from Kevadia, chief engineer dam P.M. Patel says though there8217;s no intimation to release more water into the NMC, there8217;s enough water to meet any such requirement.

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But not all share the state government8217;s exuberance. They call the release of precious water a populist and ill-advised move. 8216;8216;It8217;s stupidity of the highest order. Not only will it benefit only those living downstream, it will also open a can of worms by creating a sort of 8216;water right8217;,8217;8217; says a Narmada expert.

Also, if the government fails to release water when rains are insufficient, the users would agitate for it. 8216;8216;It8217;s an excellent populist move because the ruling party did badly in the recent elections, but fraught with serious consequences as it will inculcate habit of free water,8217;8217; he adds.