INDORE: Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court on Tuesday summoned Narmada Valley Development Department (NVDD) secretary to appear in court in person to explain the reason for delay in construction of canal for Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar projects.
Double bench of chief justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar and justice Shantanu Kemkar gave this order while hearing the petition of Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar Canal project field by Medha Patkar of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). During the hearing, counsel and superintendent engineer of Narmada Development Authority said that construction of only 5 per cent of right bank canal and 20 per cent of left bank canal was remaining.
Petitioner objected this argument saying that just digging and excavation of canal doesn’t mean completion of the work. Till now, all the canals have been not connected with the main network and it is causing huge problems to farmers as they are not getting water for irrigation. It also causes water-logging during monsoons.
NBA said the work should be completed in accordance with the guidelines. As per the project, state government should have got the approval from Union government for the Command Area Development after submitting a plan for it along with continuing digging and excavation work. But till date, Command Area Development plan for 1100 villages has not been submitted to the Union government, it alleged.
Tags: Madhya Pradesh High Court, Narmada Development Authority, Narmada Valley Development Department