PM to dedicate Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation in Gujarat tomorrow

New Delhi, Sep 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the Sardar Sarovar Dam whose height was recently raised to 138.68 metres, at Kevadia in Gujarat tomorrow. Irrigation from the project is expected to benefit about 10-lakh farmers, and drinking water to be supplied to various villages and towns, will benefit up to four crore people. The height of the dam was recently raised to facilitate a usable storage of 4.73 Million Acre feet (MAF) and will greatly benefit the participating states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The ambitious Sardar Sarovar project has helped transport the waters of Narmada river to the water-deficient areas of Gujarat through an elaborate canal and pipeline network. The project has been described as one of the largest ever human endeavours for water transport. Up to a billion units of hydropower are also expected to be generated annually. From the dam site, the P M will travel to Sadhu Bet, where the Statue of Unity, an iconic statue and associated memorial complex for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is currently under construction. Mr Modi will be given an overview of the progress of work on the project which comprises a 182 metre tall statue, an exhibition hall, a memorial garden, and a Visitor Centre, the Prime Minister's Office said in a release. He will attend the closing ceremony of the Narmada Mahotsav, and address the gathering at Dabhoi. He will lay the foundation stone for the National Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museum during the event. Mr Modi will later visit Amreli where he will inaugurate a new market yard of APMC. He will also inaugurate new plants of Amar Dairy, and lay the foundation stone of a honey production centre. He will address a Sahakar Sammelan at Amreli. UNI