Dams were once described by Jawaharlal Nehru as ‘New temples of a resurgent India’. In October 1963, at the ceremony to mark the dedication
of the Bhakra–Nangal project to the nation, he had said: “This dam has been built with the unrelenting toil of man for the benefit of mankind and, therefore, is worthy of worship.” However, there are many who are now questioning the Nehruvian model of development. The Narmada Bachao Andolan says the Narmada project will displace more than 200,000 people apart from damaging the fragile ecology of the region. In 1947, India had 300 large dams. By the year 2000, the number rose to over 4000, more than half of them built between 1971 and 1989. India is today ranked third in the world in dam building, after US and China. But can we do without that distinction?
of the Bhakra–Nangal project to the nation, he had said: “This dam has been built with the unrelenting toil of man for the benefit of mankind and, therefore, is worthy of worship.” However, there are many who are now questioning the Nehruvian model of development. The Narmada Bachao Andolan says the Narmada project will displace more than 200,000 people apart from damaging the fragile ecology of the region. In 1947, India had 300 large dams. By the year 2000, the number rose to over 4000, more than half of them built between 1971 and 1989. India is today ranked third in the world in dam building, after US and China. But can we do without that distinction? 