Civil rights group calls for urgent action to prevent flooding in Narmada valley

By A Representative

The civil rights group, Friends of the Earth India (FoEI), has urged both the Government of India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Gujarat Government, which manages the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd, to take immediate and effective action to prevent a potential disaster in the Narmada Valley.

The organization, in a statement signed by senior activists C Nicholas, Prafulla Samantara and Krishnakant Chauhan, demanded the urgent opening of additional gates at the Sardar Sarovar Dam to lower water levels below 135 meters and protect thousands of families from imminent submergence and destruction of their homes and property.

The Narmada Control Authority must act swiftly to reduce the dangerously high water levels in the reservoir to safeguard both human lives and the property of villagers situated upstream of the dam, it said, adding, the situation in the Narmada Valley has escalated into a grave crisis, exacerbated by heavy rains in upstream areas—forecasts that were accurately predicted.

According to FoEI, despite significant water being released from upstream reservoirs like Indira Sagar and Onkareswar, the Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) has opened only a limited number of gates, causing a critical imbalance between inflow and outflow. On the night of September 14, inflow reached over 438,800 cusecs, while outflow was merely around 348,600 cusecs, resulting in water levels shooting past 136.6 meters.

Many families, previously labeled as "not affected," are now facing flooding due to manipulated Back Water Level (BWL) markings, which underestimated actual conditions. Homes, schools, and farms are becoming submerged, despite being marked above the maximum BWL, it underlined, pointing out, this contradicts Supreme Court and Narmada Tribunal orders that stipulate involuntary displacement can only occur six months post adequate compensation and rehabilitation.

Approximately 15,946 families have been wrongfully excluded from rehabilitation and compensation processes, labeled "non-affected" despite the dire circumstances they face today, FoEI revealed.

This situation mirrors the catastrophic flooding witnessed in 2023, where the Prime Minister celebrated his birthday on September 17 as the SSD reservoir was filled to nearly 139 meters, leading to devastating impacts on numerous villages that still bear the scars of that disaster, it added.

Moreover, FoEI noted, assertions that large dams like the SSD are vital for irrigation and renewable energy are increasingly being questioned. Research indicates that such large reservoirs can emit significant amounts of methane—a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide—resulting from the anaerobic breakdown of trapped biomass in warm climates.

Additionally, it said, the initial promises of extensive irrigation have largely failed to materialize, highlighting the viability of sustainable alternatives like community-centric solar and wind energy, as well as improved local water management strategies.

According to FoEI, concerns are rising not only for the homes of thousands but also for the health and safety of protesters, including Medha Patkar, leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Following a "Jal Satyagraha" on September 14-15, in which they stood in waist-deep water for over 36 hours, the physical toll is evident with protesters showing signs of distress.

Insisting that engaging in dialogue with representatives of those affected is crucial, it underscored the need for urgent action from the authorities to immediately open additional gates at the SSD to lower water levels below 135 meters and provide compensation for losses incurred in 2023, ensuring full rehabilitation as mandated by law.

Comments

US-China truce temporary, larger trade war between two economies to continue

By Prabir Purkayastha The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan, South Korea on 30 October 2025 may have brought about a temporary relief in the US-China trade war. But unless we see the fine print of the agreement, it is difficult to assess whether this is a temporary truce or the beginning of a real rapprochement between the two nations. The jury is still out on that one and we will wait for a better understanding of what has really been achieved in Busan.

Mergers and privatisation: The Finance Minister’s misguided banking agenda

By Thomas Franco The Finance Minister has once again revived talk of merging two or three large public sector banks to make them globally competitive. Reports also suggest that the government is considering appointing Managing Directors in public sector banks from the private sector. Both moves would strike at the heart of India’s public banking system . Privatisation undermines the constitutional vision of social and economic justice, and such steps could lead to irreversible damage.

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Political misfires in Bihar: Reasons behind the Opposition's self-inflicted defeat

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The Bihar Vidhansabha Election 2025 verdict is out. I maintained deliberate silence about the growing tribe of “social media” experts and their opinions. Lately, these do not fascinate me. Anyone forming an opinion solely on the basis of these “experts” lives in a fool’s paradise. I do not watch them, nor do I follow them on Twitter. I stayed away partly because I was not certain of a MahaGathbandhan victory, even though I wanted it. But my personal preference is not the issue here. The parties disappointed.

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup* Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

Sardar Patel was on Nathuram Godse's hit list: Noted Marathi writer Sadanand More

Sadanand More (right) By A Representative In a surprise revelation, well-known Gujarati journalist Hari Desai has claimed that Nathuram Godse did not just kill Mahatma Gandhi, but also intended to kill Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Citing a voluminous book authored by Sadanand More, “Lokmanya to Mahatma”, Volume II, translated from Marathi into English last year, Desai says, nowadays, there is a lot of talk about conspiracy to kill Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, but little is known about how the Sardar was also targeted.

Search This Blog