The Hindu, Sep 18 2017: There is no doubt that the Sardar Sarovar mega dam will usher in an era of prosperity and development in the region (“Narmada dam built despite attempts to stop it, says PM”, September 18). However, the aspirations of the people cannot be fulfilled by exploiting the rights and livelihoods of others. Raising the height of the dam has submerged many villages, rendering many homeless. The displacement process followed has not been transparent and there are many grievances that remain unaddressed. Most of those displaced have not been provided land as rehabilitation; in the case of those who have been, many of these tracts are unsuitable for agriculture. The State government has to take proactive steps and ensure that this aspect of the dam’s construction is not ignored.
Gagan Pratap Singh,
Noida, Uttar Pradesh
The headline was interesting and triggers many questions. In building the dam, were people whose voices matter listened to and heard? Why were people attempting to stop the dam? Was this attempt to stop the project a way to block Gujarat’s development or to protect Gujarat’s environment for its people for posterity? While most of us rejoice that a long-delayed project has been completed, we also need to ask ourselves whether we have heard the cries of the people who have had to bear the consequences of this project. Does India have appropriate ways and means to listen to the voices of women, the poor and others concerned even if they live beyond its boundaries?
Lancia Rodrigues,
Chennai
Web: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/know-your-narmada/article19711059.ece
