Sardar Sarovar dam height: NCA nod for construction

NEW DELHI: Acting on its June 12 order raising the height of Sardar Sarovar dam in Gujarat, the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) has issued an order giving permission to the Sardar Sarovar Nigam Limited (SSNL) to kick off construction work at the project site.
SSNL will now be able to carry out construction of piers and overhead bridge and install gates in open or raised position at the project site as per the approved design.
The latest order assumes significance as in the absence of NCA's required permission, the construction work at dam site in Kevadia colony had come to stand still.
"In the absence of gates, the dam was overflowing for the last two months. The installation of spillways piers will take the dam to its full height of 138 metres," said a statement from the ministry of water resources.
It said NCA, at the behest of the ministry of water resources, has given permission to SSNL to carry out phase-I proposal comprising construction of piers, overhead bridge and installation of gates. The projects authorities have been asked to comply with the condition as laid down by the two sub groups of NCA, the statement said.
NCA, on June 12, had given its approval to Gujarat for raising the height of Sardar Sarovar dam to 138.68 metres from the present 121.92 metres. The move will benefit parched regions of Gujarat and neighbouring states.