Sardar Sarovar Dam and ISP-OSP canal affected villages

17th to 19th August, 2013

Dear Saathis,

Zindabaad !

You all are well-aware that the situation in the Narmada valley is serious, yet again, with the sword of submergence looming large over the lives of more than 2.5 lakh people in the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) affected areas of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, both in the hilly villages and vast fertile plains of Nimad. The people are once again having to stand up to the enormous challenge of questioning the political moves of Gujarat and M.P., to complete the Dam, while thousands of adivasis- farmers, fish workers, landless are yet to obtaine alternative land and livelihood based rehabilitation (R&R),massive environmental safeguard measures are yet to be planned and executed and corruption worth almost 1,000 crores is under judicial scrutiny. The struggle to save irrigated villages from the massive canal network and also the fight for rehabilitation, compensation for water logging etc. in the Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar canal-affected villages is moving ahead, in the Courts and on the ground.

We met some of you in Delhi a few days ago where you had extended support to the ongoing struggle and evinced interest to make a brief visit the valley. We have also been speaking to supporters from other cities who are keen to visit the valley and witness the situation today. Even as the herculean task of R&R is pending,illegal submergence has again occurred due to incessant rain in the valley this Monsoon, drowning hundreds of acres of land with standing crop and also people’s housesIt is in this context that we would like to invite you for a brief three-day visit (August 17-19) to a few hilly and plain villages in the valley. Your trip will include visit to a few submergence affected villages in the hills and plains, canal-affected villages, illegal sand mining spot, Narmada Jeevanshalas (life schools) etc.

Those reaching Indore from Delhi, can take the Intercity Train on the 16th night and arrive at Indore at 11:30 a.m. on the 17th. Those reaching Indore from Mumbai can take the Avantika Train on the 16th night and arrive at 9:30 a.m. on the 17th. at Indore. NBA team will be at Indore on the 17th morning, to guide and assist those arriving. Please see overleaf for the tentative three-day schedule.

We look forward to seeing you in the valley and your support in various ways. Please do inform other friends, journalists, writers and all those you know will support the struggle for justice and rights in the valley.

Medha Patkar,   Mahadev Bhai,   Khuman Hariya,   Yogini,     Sajjanbai,   Ramsing bhai

Tentative Schedule for the Three day Visit to the Narmada Valley

17th August, 2013:

  • 9 a.m. to 12: 00 p.m.: Reach Indore (from Delhi, Mumbai etc.) and lunch on the way.

  • 2:00 p.m. Brief Halt at Village Pandhania (Tehsil Dharampuri, District Dhar) – Witness Massive excavation for the Omkareshwar canal, in irrigated village

  • 2:30 p.m. Brief Visit to Khalkhurd R&R site, where adivasi farmers from Pichhodi and Bhadal villages, who have refused cash compensation have been offered cultivable land.

  • 4:00 p.m. Brief visit to one or two villages affected by Indira Sagar Canals in Rajpur Tehsil (Dist. Badwani) – excavation and water logging.

  • 5:00 p.m: Brief visit to Sardar Sarovar affected village Chhota Barda – submergence, illegal sand mining, fish workers hamlets, irrigated village where canals are planned.

  • 6:30 p.m: Evening meeting at Pipri Villagefollowed by dinner.

  • 8:00 p.m. – Night Halt at Badwani, NBA Head Office.

18th August, 2013:

  • 7:00 a.m.: Tea and Breakfast

  • 8:00 a.m: Visit to Gandhi Samadhi, Rajghat

  • 9:00 a.m.: Meeting at SSP-affected villages Kadmal-Khaparkheda (Tehsil Kukshi, District Dhar)

  • 10: 00 a.m: Brief vehicular view of Village Nisarpur (Tehsil Kukshi)

  • 11:00 a.m: Lunch at Village Bhavaria

  • 12:00 p.m.: Leave for Narmada river-bank, hilly village Bhitada (via Kakrana) by boat (Tehsil Sondwa, Dist. Alirajpur)

  • 4:00 p.m. Reach Village Bhitada, interaction with villagers and visit to Narmada Jeevanshala (M.P.)

  • Dinner and Night Halt: Narmada Jeevanshala

19th August, 2013:

8:00 a.m. Early morning cross over to hilly adivasi village Bilgaon (Maharashtra)

9:00 a.m.: Reach Village Bilgaon and visit to old site of micro-hydel project.

11:00 a.m: Leave for Dhadgaon Tehsil (one hour drive from Bilgaon)

12: 00 p.m.: Lunch at Dhadgaon (Field Office of Narmada Nav Nirman Abhiyan)

2:00 p.m: Leave for Shahada Tehsil

4:00 p.m. Visit to Javdavadi resettlement site – Maharashtra, interaction with people and visit to Narmada Jeevanshala – interaction with adivasi kids.

For your return you can take a train on 19th late night or 20th early morning from Surat or on 20th from Indore to Delhi. Those proceeding to Mumbai can also take train from Surat late in the night on 19th or 20th early morning.

For details, please feel free to contact us:

  • In the Narmada Valley – Medha Patkar (09423965153) and Meera (09179148973)

  • Delhi: Madhuresh (09818905316) and Seela Mahapatra (09212587159)

  • Mumbai: Pervin Jehangir (09820636335) and Madhuri Variyath (09820619174)

  • Pune: Suniti S.R. (09423571784) 

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National Alliance of People’s Movements
National Office : 6/6, Jangpura B, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110014
Phone : 011 26241167 / 24354737 Mobile : 09818905316
Web : www.napm-india.org

Twitter : @napmindia

 

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