GATES OPEN AT INDIA’S LARGEST DAM
Modi says World Bank refused funds for project, but dam got built despite obstacles
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When the World Bank refused money for the Sardar Sarovar Dam, the temples of Gujarat had donated for the project. NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of Sardar Sarovar Dam — the world’s second largest — on the Narmada river in Gujarat on Sunday.
DABHOI (GUJARAT): Gujarat’s temples gave money when the World Bank refused funds for the Sardar Sarovar project, PM Narendra Modi said on Sunday, attacking a “list of people” who allegedly tried to stall the world’s second-largest concrete dam.
The dam is the centrepiece of the multi-billion dollar Narmada Valley development project, one of India’s largest development schemes that is expected to provide water and power to people in four states. It is also crucial to the BJP’s campaign plans in Modi’s home state which goes to the polls this year, with chief minister Vijay Rupani terming as “Gujarat’s lifeline” the second biggest dam after the Grand Coulee Dam in the United States.
“I have a list of people who came in way of Sardar Sarovar dam but I won’t politicise the matter...we were determined that the project will continue,” Modi told a public rally after inaugurating the dam, whose foundation was laid by the country’s first PM, Jawharlal Nehru, in 1961.
“A massive misinformation campaign was launched against the project. The World Bank which had earlier agreed to fund the project, refused to give loan for it raising environmental concerns.But, with or without the World Bank, we completed the massive project on our own,” he told a public rally about 55 kms from the dam site in Dabhoi town of Vadodara district.
He said the World Bank was later “compelled” to give the Green Award to Gujarat for its environment-friendly rehabilitation work in earthquake-affected Kutch.
The inauguration of the dam coincided with Modi’s 67th birthday and also the day dedicated to Vishwakarma, the Hindu god of engineering.
Modi did not name anybody but said the scheme progressed when “people who keep (the) country above party were in power and slowed down when those who keep party above the country ruled”.
The PM went on to say that Sardar Patel did not get the credit he deserved after Independence for some reasons but his government was committed to ensure that the Iron Man’s “name, works and inspiration” remain eternal.
Modi also appeared to woo the tribals whose “struggle has made us realise the dream”.
Ravi Chellam, executive director at Greenpeace India, said in a statement, “Today is a very sad day for India, and for one of our biggest peoples’ movements and struggle - the Narmada Bacchao Andolan.”