Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

The Narmada issue

This refers to the report "Narmada: Union Ministry report nails claims on rehabilitation" (April 29). In recent weeks, The Hindu has given fair and deserving coverage to the Narmada Bachao Andolan, unlike several other newspapers. In any such development project, the core issue relates to relief and rehabilitation of those affected. This is no less important than the benefits that accrue to large numbers of people.

N.A. Sarma,
Hyderabad

Though summer has just set in, many parts of Gujarat even adjacent to the Narmada Canal are facing water scarcity. The Narendra Modi Government has attributed this to the insufficient height of the Sardar Sarovar dam. Even if the dam height is raised overnight, the situation will not improve because the Government has not created the infrastructure to distribute water. This lack of infrastructure allows only a limited quantity of Sardar Sarovar water to be used with the surplus being diverted to rivers Sabarmati and Saraswati and the Vastrapur pond. Mr. Modi should expedite the construction of the main canal and its branches. It is not the dam height but the lack of political will that is depriving the people of Gujarat of the much-needed Narmada water.

M. William,
Ahmedabad

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