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The
plan for harnessing the river for irrigation and power
generation in the Narmada basin, was initiated in 1946. Seven
projects including the Bharuch project were identified during
the initial survey, and 4 projects- Bharuch (Gujarat), Bargi,
Tawa and Punasa in Madhya Pradesh- were given top priority for
investigation. After the completion of investigation, the
proposed dam at Gora in Gujarat with the full reservoir level
(FRL) 161 feet (49.80metres) was selected and the foundation
stone was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 5th April, 1961.
However, as more detailed and modernised contour sheets from
the Survey of India were available , the possibility of
raising the height of the dam, for optimum utilisation
of water, was considered.
In
1964, to resolve the dispute about sharing of the Narmada
Water between the governments of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh,
the government of India appointed an expert committee under
the Chairmanship of late Dr. Khosla which recommended a higher
dam with FRL 500 feet (152.44metre) in 1965. However, no
agreement could be arrived at and the Narmada Water Dispute
Tribunal (NWDT) was constituted by the Government of India in
1969, under the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. |
