'Urban Naxals' stalled Sardar Sarovar Dam work for years, says PM Modi
India Today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that 'Urban Naxals' had stalled the Sardar Sarovar Dam work in Gujarat's Narmada for years with dubious claims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that 'Urban Naxals' and other 'anti-development elements' stalled the work on the Sardar Sarovar Dam for years in Gujarat's Narmada by running a campaign claiming it would harm the environment.
"Now, when the dam is complete, you can very well judge how dubious their claims were," PM Modi said.
Addressing the environment ministers of different states, PM Modi said, "Urban Naxals and anti-development elements with political backing had stalled the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam by running a campaign that the project will harm the environment. Huge amount of money was wasted because of this delay."
'Urban Naxal' is often used by some segments of the political spectrum to describe sympathisers of the Naxalism cause as well as certain social activists.
The prime minister further said that Urban Naxals are still active. "I urge you to make sure that projects aimed at improving ease of doing business or ease of life do not get unnecessarily stalled in the name of the environment. We must have a balanced approach to counter the conspiracy of such people," he added.
PM Modi was speaking after virtually inaugurating the National Conference of Environment Ministers via video conference at Ekta Nagar in Narmada district.
READ | Who is an Urban Naxal?
