SARDAR SAROVAR DAM IN INDIA: STUDY OF DEVELOPMENT INDUCED DISPLACEMENT

Abstract

The Sardar Sarovar Dam, located on the Narmada River in Gujarat, India, is a gravity dam. This dam is the largest one in the Narmada Valley Project, which consists of several large irrigation as well as hydroelectric multi-purpose dams. The proposal began in 1979 as part of a larger development measures to expand irrigation as well as generate hydropower. The dam's 60 years history makes it one of the world's most divisive constructions. Many of the benefits attributed to the dams have been discovered to be overblown. The amount of water accessible for irrigation and domestic use was overstated by 25%. The main canal system in Gujarat and Rajasthan was designed based on overly optimistic transportation efficiency assumptions, resulting in 23.3 percent less irrigated land than anticipated. The researchers have discussed the impact of displacements on people leaving in rural areas, highlighting in particular the loss of land property. Such displacement leading them away from their natural habitats has many socio-economic impacts.