No green nod for Modi's pet Sardar Patel statue project yet

Narendra Modi’s dream project— erecting the world’s largest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — has hit a roadblock as environmentalists  and local residents are up in arms against the  182 meter tall statue  and have reportedly alleged that mandatory environment clearances have not been sought for the project.

According to a CNN IBN report, environmental activists have written to Central and state agencies including the chief minister’s office saying several environmental provisions are being flouted.

“According to the Environment Protection Act, it is mandatory that an environmental impact and assessment must be done and environment public hearings must happen. Our objection here is that the state government is itself the violator in this case,” environmental scientist Mahesh Pandya said.

The 182 meter tall statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel is to be built in the middle of a water body 3 km downstream of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

The project is in an eco-sensitive zone with the Shooplaneshwar and Dhumkal sloth bear sanctuaries in close vicinity.

According to the environmentalists, a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and social impact of the project on activities of the people has not been done.

The residents have also questioned Modi  intent whose project is likely to take away their livelihood.

“If Modi wants to unite the country, farming must be kept alive. Farmers should not be moved,” a  protesting resident told CNN IBN.

Modi had tried to pacify the residents while laying the foundation stone for the project. "

My adivasi brothers have the right to water and they will get it. It is their right. Similarly, people staying along the left bank of the river too will get Narmada water for irrigation," Modi had said.