An independent People’s Commission has released a detailed reappraisal of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) on the Narmada River, concluding that the project’s publicised success is contradicted by realities on the ground.
The Commission, convened by Jalbiradari (Maharashtra), Development Research Institute (Odisha), and Himdhara (Himachal Pradesh), included Justice (Retd.) Anjana Prakash, sociologist Enakshi Ganguly, and environmentalist Dr Gorky Chakraborty. Between August 22–24, 2025, they visited 14 sites in Madhya Pradesh’s Badwani and Dhar districts, holding hearings with Adivasis, farmers, fisherfolk, and other affected communities.
Key findings highlight that promised benefits of drinking water, irrigation, and power remain partly undelivered, with drought‑prone Kutch and Saurashtra receiving only a fraction of the promised supply. Rehabilitation is incomplete, with thousands of families still without proper resettlement. Corruption identified by the Justice Jha Commission remains unaddressed, while environmental mandates have been violated through illegal sand mining and pollution of the Narmada.
Economically, the report warns that the original benefit‑cost ratio has been overtaken by escalating costs, with the project now estimated at over Rs 75,000 crore. The Commission calls for a full review under the 45‑year clause of the 1979 Tribunal Award, completion of rehabilitation, provision of civic amenities, and creation of accountable institutions. It also urges governments to reconsider development models that displace communities and damage ecosystems.
