The Narmada Valley Project: Displacement, Development, and the Dilemma of Social Justice

Abstract

The Narmada Valley Project, one of India’s largest river valley initiatives, aims to provide irrigation, electricity, and economic growth through dams like the Sardar Sarovar Dam. However, the relocation of over two lakh people, mainly from rural and triSbal communities, has led to significant human costs. Although constitutional guarantees and the 2013 Land Acquisition Act exist, rehabilitation efforts remain inadequate and inconsistent. This study adopts a qualitative and doctrinal approach, drawing upon statutory frameworks, landmark judicial decisions, environmental assessments, and civil society narratives to critically examine the legal and social consequences of the project. Through the lens of key legal cases, including Narmada Bachao Andolan v. Union of India, and stakeholder perspectives, the paper critiques the contradiction between state-led development imperatives and constitutional rights.