Drought in Gujarat? 30 lakh litres Narmada water being diverted to Coca Cola, 60 lakh litres to automobile units

By A Representative
India's top anti-dam organization, Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) has alleged that, despite continued deficit of rainfall this monsoon, the Gujarat government has been providing “huge quantities” of Narmada water, meant for irrigation, to some of the top industrial houses and the proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) region.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the NBA said, “Betraying drought-prone regions of Kutch-Suarashtra, Narmada water is being diverted to Coca Cola, Ambani and Adani. Over the last 30 years, just about 35-40 Narmada canals have been constructed, while the rest remain incomplete, hence farmers are unable to take advantage of Narmada waters. Yet, it is continued its the work of completing the Narmada dam to the full reservoir level (FRL) of 139 metres.”
Giving figures, the NBA statement, signed among others by well-known social activist Medha Patkar, said, “Each day, 30 lakh litres of water is being diverted to Coca Cola and 60 lakh litres to to motor car factories in Gujarat. This apart, the region that falls under the DMIC is being provided most of the Narmada water.”
Questioning the logic behind providing Narmada water to the Gujarat capital Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Vadodara, the NBA said, “This is being done by depriving thousands of drought-affected villages in the Kutch-Saurashtra region. The whole purpose of completing the dam to FRL 139 litres is political.”
The statement wondered why, despite “huge” industrial investments worth thousands of crores has been made in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat has not providing any electricity from the Narmada dam's power house. “Though the two states have demanded compensation, just about Rs 3,500 crore has been paid”, it said.
Issued ahead of the call to join a protest rally at Badwani in Madhya Pradesh, bordering Gujarat situated nex to Narmada river, the statement said, “The Narmada satyagraha for water and land rights would begin on July 30 at the historic Rajghat on the banks of Narmada.”
Pointing out that the satyagraha would be preceded by moving around the Narmada river from July 13 to 22, the statement alleged, “One of the oldest cultural civilizations along the Narmada valley is on the verge of collapse by plans to build 30 big and 135 medium level dams on the river in Madhya Pradesh.”
“Each of these dams will oust lakhs of people”, the statement continued, adding, “Some of the most fertile lands which produce food and on which forests stand will be destroyed. Temples, mosques, schools, artifacts, trade, everything will be destroyed.”
“Worse”, the statement said, “The Madhya Pradesh government has worked out plans to divert between 5,000 and 15,000 litres water per day of Narmada waters to other rivers interlinking several rivers in order to satisfy corporates' greed for water.”
Pointing out that all this is in addition to the Gujarat government having already completed the Narmada dam work, with only gates left to be installed, the statement said, “In our estimate around 50,000 families are yet to be rehabilitated. In all, 244 villages and one town, Dharampur, are likely to be submerged once the gates are installed and closed.”
Even as conceding that Gujarat and Maharashtra have completed resettlement of 14,000 families, the statement said, in the NBA's estimates, around 45,000 houses would face submergence in Madhya Pradesh alone. It added, “Despite this, the Madhya Pradesh government has has told courts that there is no oustees remaining to be resettled.”

Comments

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor* A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas* Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

Search This Blog