Environment ministry clears raising Maheswar dam’s water level to 154m

NEW DELHI: The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has cleared raising the water level at Maheshwar dam in Madhya Pradesh to 154 meters, a decision that will not involve any submergence but will expedite process of power generation, the company executing the project has said.

“The decision will act as a catalyst for completion of remaining relief and rehabilitation works,” Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation said in a statement, adding the decision was long overdue and had been taken on basis of reports submitted by government agencies.

The company denied a claim by the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) that closure of the project gates last year led to submergence at the site and was aimed at blocking it. This had led to cost overruns, while the benefits of the project, in terms of power and water supply to Indore, were thwarted.

NBA has criticized the order as “illegal and illegitimate” and said “the MoEF order is based on false information given by the district collector, Khargone, and the state government that no lands and houses would be submerged if the reservoir is filled up to 154 meters.”



Contesting the NBA, the company said the pressure group owes an explanation to the people of MP for the numerous roadblocks put up against power projects, especially Maheshwar. The firm said it was committed to speedy rehabilitation that would get a fillip from the order.