This Article is From Sep 17, 2017

Sardar Sarovar Dam LIVE: PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Narmada Dam On Birthday

The foundation stone of for Sardar Sarovar Dam for was laid in 1961, construction began in 1987.PM Narendra Modi will also address a public rally at Dabhoi, about an hour from Ahmedabad.

Sardar Sarovar Dam LIVE: PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Narmada Dam On Birthday

The foundation stone of Sardar Sarovar dam was laid on April 5, 1961 by Jawaharlal Nehru.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada, described as Gujarat's lifeline by BJP leaders, at an event coinciding with his 67th birthday. The foundation stone of the dam was laid on April 5, 1961 by the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. However, it took 56 years to complete its construction. The delay in the completion of the dam was due to numerous reasons. Medha Patkar-led Narmada Bachao Andolan took the government to the Supreme Court over environmental and rehabilitation issues, and obtained a stay in 1996. The court allowed resumption of work in October 2000. The height of the dam was recently raised to 138.68 metres, which will allow maximum 'usable storage' of 4.73 million acre feet of water.

 

Here are the live updates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam inauguration:

 
Sep 17, 2017 13:36 (IST)
PM Modi talks about the grandeur of ‘Statue of Unity’


The ardent fan of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel mentioned with great pride that the Statue of Unity will be a fitting tribute to the freedom fighter. "The Statue of Unity will be twice as high as US' Statue of Liberty," he said. The Prime Minister further said that people from all corners of the world will come and see the statue of unity and know the great contribution of Sardar Patel. 

Sep 17, 2017 13:23 (IST)

"World Bank tried to ensure India doesn't succeed in this project"

Prime Minister Modi said that World Bank had said it would not fund the project and had also alleged that it would ruin the environment. He added that the World Bank did all it could to ensure India cannot have such a mega project. "But India too had decided that World Bank or no World Bank, we will build the Mega Sardar Sarovar Dam with our blood and sweat. After the 2001 earthquake, when this project picked up pace and showed the world what India can truly do. The same World Bank had to eat humble pie, swallow its pride and was forced to give India's Sardar Sarovar Dam project the world's topmost environment-friendly project award," said the Prime Minister. 

Sep 17, 2017 13:14 (IST)

Sardar Sarovar Dam was Sardar Patel's dream, says PM Modi

The Prime Minister said the Sardar Sarovar Dam faced so many obstacles before its completion but the government was determined that the project will go on. "71 years ago, before independence, before most of you and I were born, Sardar Patel had seen the dream and vision of Sardar Sarovar Dam. If work had been done, then the project would have been complete in the 1970s itself. People would not have had water problems. The land would have been so much more fertile," he said. 

Sep 17, 2017 12:41 (IST)
"Dedicate Sardar Sarovar Dam to nation on Vishwakarma Jayanti"

Prime Minister Modi, who is currently addressing a public meeting in Dabhoi, dedicated the Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. "There is a Jan Sagar here in Dabhoi and this shows the respect people have for Maa Narmada. Today, on Vishwakarma Jayanti we dedicate to the nation the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Sardar Patel would be happy today. Imagine his vision that he envisioned this Dam to help farmers and citizens," the PM said.
Sep 17, 2017 10:52 (IST)
PM Modi will head to Sadhu Bet, an island in the river Narmada where a 182-metre-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - called the 'Statue of Unity' - and a memorial complex dedicated to the country's first Home Minister are being constructed.
Sep 17, 2017 10:33 (IST)
PM Modi inaugurates the dam on the Narmada river and offers his prayers.



Sep 17, 2017 10:24 (IST)
The Prime Minister has reached the venue for the inauguration of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. He is accompanied by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Sep 17, 2017 09:27 (IST)
PM Modi is travelling to Kevadia by road for the inauguration.
Sep 17, 2017 09:20 (IST)
Due to unfavorable weather in Kevadia, PM Narendra Modi's chopper has landed in Dabhoi, reports news agency ANI
Sep 17, 2017 09:05 (IST)
Activist Medha Patkar is protesting against the project and demanding rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar Dam construction. Narmada Bachao Andolan took the government to the Supreme Court over environmental and rehabilitation issues, and obtained a stay in 1996. The court allowed resumption of work in October 2000.
Sep 17, 2017 08:59 (IST)
Sardar Sarovar Dam Project: Your 10-Point Guide To World's Second Biggest Dam
The dam has earned over Rs. 16,000 crore -- more than double the cost of its construction, said a government spokesman. Each gate of the dam weighs over 450 tonnes and it takes one hour to close them. 
Sep 17, 2017 08:46 (IST)
PM starts from Gandhinagar to Kevadia where he will inaugurate Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Sep 17, 2017 08:40 (IST)
PM Narendra Modi seeks his mother Heeraben Modi's blessings in Gandhinagar on his birthday.

Sep 17, 2017 07:56 (IST)
Sardar Sarovar project is the biggest dam in terms of volume of concrete used in it
Sardar Sarovar Dam is also the second biggest dam in the world after the Grand Coulee Dam in the United States. The 1.2-km-long dam, which is 163 metres deep has till date produced 4,141 crore units of electricity from its two power houses -- river bed powerhouse and canal head powerhouse -- with an installed capacity of 1,200 MW and 250 MW, respectively.
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