A ray of hope
Himachal Pradesh’s recent initiative to better the lot of Bhakra Dam oustees may have come five decades too late but it has kindled hope in the thousands who were dislodged from the old Bilaspur township. Shakti Singh Chandel makes a case for the oustees, who are yet to be compensated fully for giving up their fertile land, forests and rich heritage.

The people of Bilaspur have welcomed the news that the state government, after a lapse of 50 years, has finally thought of constructing more bridges over the Bhakra Dam lake and setting up two more sectors in Bilaspur town for the rehabilitation of the oustees whose population has trebled during this period. The state government is setting up a Cabinet subcommittee, which would visit the rehabilitated Bhakra Dam oustees in the Hisar area of Haryana and assess their grievances that remain to be resolved.

Heavy losses, meagre aid

GO MODERN: Jawaharlal Nehru switching on the power house of the Bhakra hydro-electric project.

With the coming up of the dam, one-fifth of the Bilaspur province was submerged in the water reservoir. One-third of the population was uprooted and displaced; and normal life disrupted as all roads and bridges had to be severed. Those dislodged lost not only their homes and hearths but also had to face the destruction of monuments on their land.

The 17,000 oustees identified as the worst in the list of the affected found no place in the list of beneficiaries. They were paid ridiculously meagre compensation compared to the surrender of their right over their fertile valley, forests and other resources.

As much as 6.6 million acres was brought under irrigation in the beneficiary states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and the recurrent fear of floods during every monsoon too disappeared. The dam also provided 900 mw electricity to these states. In contrast, little was done for the displaced people of Bilaspur.

For the 96-km-long Bhakra lake, only one bridge at the farthest end in Kandror was provided. Detours to reach the other side of the lake took a lot of time and expenditure. Many were caught in marshes and lost their lives while attempting to cross the lake.

Today, the need for reparation for those who suffered loss on construction of dams is a legal reality accepted by the international community. The victims have a right to redress against continuing damages. A generation has almost gone without being heard; their sons and daughters are here now and want to be compensated for their perpetual losses.

Unfulfilled promises

HERITAGE IN RUINS: Some of the temples of old Bilaspur township date back to the 9th century. They now lie submerged in the Bhakra lake.

It was in 1947-48 that the tiny state of Bilaspur was chosen, in view of its ideal location, for the multi-purpose Bhakra Dam hydelproject. At that time, when the princely states were melting away one by one, the last ruler of Bilaspur, Raja Anand Chand, tried to get exceptional treatment by keeping his state as an exclusive unit.

The raja wanted to ensure proper rehabilitation of the oustees as well as considerable share of benefits from the project for them and the state. He sought to impress that the state deserved special benefits from the Centre through constitutional guarantees and safeguards.

With two beneficiary states, the Punjab and Rajasthan, it was anticipated that conflicting interests might arise. Lest one of them dominate the other, the Centre was keen that a balance should be maintained. Eventually, in view of the location of the proposed Bhakra Dam, the Dominion of India decided to take over Bilaspur as a centrally administered unit on October 12, 1948.

After this move, sufficient funds began to pour in for the development of this tiny ‘C’ state. But, in 1954, when Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh, the situation changed. Bilaspur inhabitants feel that they have remained victims of neglect and inertia ever since.

Raw deal

While the construction of the Bhakra Dam was in progress, the then Chief Commissioner of Bilaspur pointed out that little was being done by the Centre for the oustees, who were economically and emotionally devastated. In a memorandum on August 1, 1949, he wrote to the Government of India that while the progress of work on Bhakra Dam had been remarkable and greatest attention was being paid to the details of sharing the profits, the manner of distributing the irrigation water and hydro-electric power, the problem of Bilaspur, which was the mother state of the project, had been completely ignored.

The re-settlement of the dislocated families, payment of due compensation to the people whose lands, houses and property were to be submerged and the numerous administrative difficulties likely to arise seemed to be the immediate concern of nobody.

He emphasised that a certain section of people in the state had already started looking upon the whole project as if it were a dreadful dragon lying across their precious soil, and spreading its fangs on all sides to wipe off their hearths and homes.

New township, poor alternative

Finally, in 1954, the resettlement began with the construction of the new capital township for Bilaspur. The area for the new town was 10 times less than that of the old town. Only two small residential sectors were created. The size of each residential plot was hardly 80 sq yards. They were a sorry substitute for the traditional house with spacious lawns that the affected had lost in the old town. Sandhu maidan was a major attraction in the old town but not a single open space was earmarked in the layout of the new town. In fact, the new town turned out to be a poor and inadequate alternative to the old town.

Loss of heritage

In 1960, when the Bhakra Dam project was nearing completion, people witnessed the water level of the Bhakra lake rising inch by inch. Much to the chagrin of the people living in the area, their homes, villages, extremely fertile valley and the old capital town with its Sandhu maidan were slowly disappearing into the gigantic lake. The hill town of Bilaspur had a rich heritage: there were monumental buildings, palaces and centuries-old temples. The area’s other attractions were the numerous water-springs and colourful flora. Now that grandeur was going to be wiped out.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had become the inspiring figure for workers and engineers of the Bhakra project. His personal involvement led to the expeditious completion of the dam. The keen interest taken by him is evident from the fact that he visited the project site at least 13 times during the period of its construction. On December 10, 1961, he inaugurated Bhakra Power House and gifted this grand project to the nation.

On the occasion, he said, "As I walked around the site, I thought that these days the biggest temple and mosque and gurdwara is the place where man works for the good of mankind. Which place can be greater than this Bhakra Nangal, where thousands and lakhs of men have worked, have shed their blood and sweat and laid down their lives as well?" But the cost paid by Bilaspur, assert its inhabitants, for the construction of this modern temple of India was too heavy.

Entitled share

Under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, Himachal Pradesh was entitled to 7.19 per cent share in Bhakra, Sutlej Link and Pong Dam projects. Besides it was also entitled to 12 per cent free power from all these projects. But these entitlements were denied, and the case has been lying in the Supreme Court for many years.

The beneficiary states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan made a one-time monetary contribution and that too was 100 per cent assistance by way of loan from the Central Government. These states, however, continue to derive incremental, perpetual benefits from the project, which are disproportionate to their contributions. The Bhakra project has already extended benefits beyond the estimated figure. In fact, the beneficiary states must now come out on their own with schemes that benefit the oustees.

Need for growth

Construction of a few more bridges, development of tourism, setting up of angling resorts and world-class water sport centres, promotion of aero-sport, launching of house-boats, accelerated afforestation, shifting of viable cultural assets such as temples, construction of rail tracks up to Bilaspur and a small airport are identified as some of the requirements of the area.

Millions of people worldwide are facing similar losses due to the construction of dams. In many cases, these projects have led to human rights violations and deterioration of environment. So far, an estimated 40 to 80 million people have been evicted from their lands to make dams. Evidence shows that these people have been left economically, culturally and psychologically devastated.

Now the dam-affected communities from all over the world are demanding reparations or retroactive compensation for the continuing damages to their lives. Oustees are demanding justice; their cries should not get lost in the enormity of such projects.

Even now, it is not too late to recognise entitlements and secure benefits for those who made a small contribution for big development.

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