Narmada Bachao Andolan completed 40 years of struggle

The non-violent satyagraha movement in the Narmada Valley Narmada Bachao Andolan, which started with the goal of "Save Narmada, Save Humanity," has now lasted forty years. On this occasion, the leader of the movement Medha Patkar along with her karykartas, organised a press conference in Bhopal.

During this time, farmers, laborers, fishermen, cattle herders, tribal communities that rely on forest resources, and traders from the three states impacted by the Sardar Sarovar Project—Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat—have engaged in a unique legal struggle that emphasises non-violence and includes women. This long effort has successfully secured rehabilitation for around 50,000 families, which is a major achievement.

However, despite this success, many displaced families still lack proper rehabilitation today, raising serious concerns. Those who have been rehabilitated often face a severe shortage of essential facilities at their new locations. Issues such as limited water supply, poor roads and drainage, no grazing lands, and a lack of healthcare centers have made life extremely tough for these families.

Many still waiting for rehabilitation

The situation is particularly dire for thousands of families who faced submersion in 2019 and 2023. These families have been denied their basic rights as outlined in rehabilitation laws, tribunal rulings, official policies for Narmada projects, and court orders up to 2017. They have not received fundamental entitlements like residential plots, alternative farmland, or construction grants. Despite numerous discussions and submissions, and even some promises, no effective decisions have been made.

This unresolved situation is causing severe hardship for the most vulnerable groups—Dalits, tribals, laborers, widows, and single women. Many have suffered injustices as their cases remain pending at various administrative levels. Tragically, some individuals have died without receiving adequate rehabilitation. This reality not only violates Supreme Court and High Court orders but also infringes on human and constitutional rights.

The lack of proper administration is equally troubling. The Narmada Control Authority, a key interstate body, seems inactive. Alarmingly, their annual reports claim that rehabilitation work is finished and that there are no remaining issues to address, based on information from Madhya Pradesh's state-level Narmada Valley Development Authority. This claim has been rejected by the Supreme Court, which issued clear orders in 2017 and 2019.

It's particularly surprising that all seven Rehabilitation Officer positions in the affected tehsils have been empty for the last two years. This has shifted the rehabilitation workload to sub-divisional officers, causing significant delays. Furthermore, the five-member Grievance Redressal Authority, set up by a Supreme Court order, has been vacant since September 2024. With around seven thousand complaints pending, former judges have not been appointed to fill these roles.

Financial dispute of states

The most complicated problem is the ongoing financial dispute between the Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat governments. This matter has not been resolved even after mediation attempts. According to the Narmada Tribunal ruling, Gujarat is legally responsible for compensating for submerged government and forest land and for fully rehabilitating all displaced individuals. However, Madhya Pradesh's demand for over seven thousand crore rupees has not been met.

Madhya Pradesh has made significant sacrifices for this project. The state has relinquished one hundred ninety-two villages, displacing thousands of families from Dharmapuri town, and has dedicated extensive land—including areas for rehabilitation and thousands of homes—along with over two thousand hectares of forest to the Sardar Sarovar Project. Despite spending crores of rupees, Madhya Pradesh has yet to receive the anticipated benefit of electricity. Therefore, the state is seeking compensation of over nine hundred crore rupees.

The official cost of the Sardar Sarovar Project is now reported as seventy-five thousand crore rupees. This amount includes costs for the Statue of Unity and tourism projects, but it does not provide enough for rehabilitation. This situation raises concerns about the priorities of the Gujarat government.

Currently, people in Gujarat's Kutch and Saurashtra regions are also confused because they are not receiving adequate irrigation and drinking water in a timely manner or sufficient quantity. Displaced tribal communities, lacking basic resources like water and jobs, are also voicing their concerns by taking to the streets, climbing towers, and approaching the courts.

Backwater and 2023 flood 

The events of 2023 highlight the seriousness of the situation. Farmers, fishermen, and residents living downstream of the dam have also suffered. Due to a significant management delay, eighteen lakh cusecs of water was released suddenly on September 17, 2023, rather than on the fifteenth or sixteenth. This caused widespread damage to crops, homes, boats, fishing nets, groundwater, and sacred sites.

In 2023, many displaced persons in the backwater area, designated as "outside submergence", saw their rehabilitation efforts left unfinished. Additionally, one hundred seventy-two villages in the upper regions of Madhya Pradesh were also affected by submersion. Concrete decisions are urgently needed to ensure complete rehabilitation and a steady supply of water for the downstream populations in Gujarat.

Environmental issues are equally severe. The 2025 monsoon season has begun, and residents of Barwani, Dhar, Alirajpur, and Khargone districts are questioning whether water flow will be managed properly. It's crucial to regulate water release from upstream dams, open the gates of the Sardar Sarovar and other dams on time, and ensure coordination among the Narmada Control Authority, Narmada Valley Development Authority, and the Gujarat government.

Narmada deserves to thrive, but industrial pollution, illegal mining, untreated sewage from cities, and unlawful cruise transport are threatening her very existence. Despite various orders, laws, and directives, these issues continue without control. This raises the question of whether those who revere Narmada, celebrate festivals, and perform circumambulation choose to overlook this disruption. This serious attack on the river is also impacting public health and life.

Despite thorough discussions and research reports regarding these problems, it's unclear why necessary decisions are not being made. When will the rehabilitation of submerged families, which has been pending for years, be completed in a timely manner?

The Narmada Bachao Andolan is dedicated to continuing the mission of "Save Narmada, Save Humanity" even after forty years. This movement is not only a fight for the rights of displaced individuals, but also an ongoing effort for the conservation of the Narmada River, environmental protection, and social justice. Until all displaced individuals receive their rights and the Narmada's waters flow cleanly, this struggle will persist.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

How Can Bhoj Wetland Address the Issue of Microplastics?

Indore’s Ramsar site Sirpur has an STP constructed almost on the lake 

Indore Reviving Historic Lakes to Combat Water Crisis, Hurdles Remain

Indore’s residential society saves Rs 5 lakh a month, through rainwater harvesting

Stay connected with Ground Report for under-reported environmental stories.

Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook; share your thoughts at [email protected]; subscribe to our weekly newsletter for deep dives from the margins; join our WhatsApp community for real-time updates; and catch our video reports on YouTube.

Your support amplifies voices too often overlooked—thank you for being part of the movement.