The Omkareshwar project is a multi-purpose dam project planned across the river Narmada in Khandwa district. Constructed between 2003 and 2007, the dam was designed to irrigate 1.47 lakh hectares of land in Khargone, Dhar, and Khandwa districts, generating 520 MW of electricity through eight power units. The dam was estimated to impact 15,500 families in Khandwa district.
In 2012, 51 farmers from Gopalgaon village launched a 17-day satyagraha_, _which ended after the state government formed a committee to look into the farmers' grievances. They demanded higher compensation for the land allotted to them under the Madhya Pradesh Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy Amendment, 2003. The state accepted their demands and promised them compensation of Rs 2 lakh per acre under the new Madhya Pradesh Rehabilitation package of 2013%20was%20announced.).
Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Alok Agarwal argued that the compensation package was inadequate, claiming that it was less than half the actual market price of the acquired land. According to affected residents, by [2015](http://According to affected residents, by 2015 no farmer had been provided the fertile land promised by the government as part of the compensation and rehabilitation package.), no farmer had been provided the fertile land promised by the government as part of the compensation and rehabilitation package.
In 2015, the farmers launched a Jal Satyagraha after the government raised the water level of the Omkareshwar Dam from 189 metres to 191 metres, which led to severe flooding in villages, with some villages being submerged. More than 70 satyagrahis developed skin disorders and other ailments. However, the people continued to protest against the project.
On 13 March 2019, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the state government to allot cultivable land to the dam oustees within three months. The displaced families were offered a choice between land allotment and monetary rehabilitation compensation, along with an additional 15 percent relocation allowance for the relocated families. The decision, by a five-judge bench headed by then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, came after a petition was filed by NBA.
In late October 2019, the affected people launched another 12-day Jal Satyagraha after the water level was increased to 138.68 meters from the previous maximum of 121.92 meters. This was despite a Supreme Court ruling that required the rehabilitation of affected people before the reservoir's water level was raised. The satyagraha ended after Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation (NHDC) Chief General Manager Pawan Sharma gave a written assurance to meet five of the six demands on behalf of the state. The key promises were to develop a rehabilitation site for 500 families and double the compensation package announced in 2013 for 700 families. However, the sixth demand to decrease the water in the catchment area that leads to flooding in the villages was declined, citing technical issues by the NHDC team.
On 7 June 2023, the Madhya Pradesh government announced a special rehabilitation package, providing compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to landless farmers and their children.
In December 2024, the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued two orders, one related to compensation for families affected by the Omkareshwar project. On 4 December, it directed the state government to consider extending compensation to adult sons of affected farmers who had been excluded from earlier rehabilitation packages. On 6 December, the court directed the government to revise the compensation process and eligibility criteria.
Despite the court's clear instructions, the affected people had not been compensated as on July 2025. In light of the failure to comply with the directives, the High Court issued contempt notices to the state’s Additional Chief Secretary, citing lapses in the implementation process.
In June and July 2025, families affected by the project gathered to relaunch Jal Satyagraha in Bhopal’s Neelam Park, demanding proper rehabilitation. They argued that the compensation of Rs 2 lakh per acre is much below the current market rates which will render farmers incapable of buying new land.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for more compensation than promised
Demand for rehabilitation
Demand for promised land
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
Chittropa Palit, a senior Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist, was arrested and jailed along with other Jal Satyagrahis.
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from arrest
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project completed
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Residential area
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
1784.29
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2008
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Central/State Government Policy, Central/State Government Policy, Central/State Government Policy, Land Acquisition Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Incorrect estimation of compensation
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
High Court of Madhya Pradesh; Supreme Court of India
Case Number
AIR no. 142 of 2008, Civil Appeal No. 2082 of 2011
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Arrest/detention/imprisonment
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Yes
Reported Details of the Violation:
(i) Use of force to evict peaceful protesters (ii) Protesters were arrested and jailed for their participation in Jal Satyagraha.
Date of Violation
August 31, 2013
Location of Violation
Villages in the submergence zone of the Omkareshwar Dam, along the Narmada River, in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh.
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Narmada Valley Development Authority; Narmada Control Authority; Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Narmada Valley Development Authority, Narmada Control Authority, Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Narmada Valley Development Authority
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Narmada Bachao Andolan
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
Chittropa Palit, a senior Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist, was arrested and jailed along with other Jal Satyagrahis.
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from arrest
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
