-The Hindu
The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) has criticised the August 9 order of the National Green Tribunal, allowing the filling of the Maheshwar dam up to 154 metres and generation of 400 MW electricity from the dam.
Saying the order was given on a “completely erroneous basis,” the NBA said the tribunal “ignored the Central Electricity Authority’s opinion” that no electricity could be generated at 154 metres.
“The tribunal based its order on a false certificate given by Khargone Collector Navneet Mohan Kotahri and executive engineer N.K. Trivedi on the request of the private promoters of the dam Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power corporation Ltd claiming there would be no submergence at 154 metres,” NBA leader Alok Agarwal said.
“The false claims lay exposed this monsoon season itself, when heavy rain filled the Maheshwar dam up to 154 metres and more than 400 houses and numerous fields were submerged,” said Mr. Agarwal.