Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that "urban Naxals and anti-development elements" having political backing had stalled the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada river in Gujarat for many years by running a campaign claiming that it would harm the environment.
He was addressing the Environment Ministers of different states after virtually inaugurating the National Conference of Environment Ministers at Ekta Nagar in Narmada district of Gujarat via video conference.
"Urban Naxals and anti-development elements having 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. Now, when the dam is complete, you can very well judge how dubious their claims were," PM Modi said.
"Urban Naxal" term is often used in the political spectrum to describe sympathisers of the Naxalism/Maoist cause as well as certain social activists.
"These urban Naxals are still active. I urge you to make sure that projects aimed at bringing 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," the Prime Minister added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"We Revived Nalanda University, Now We Must Revive Nalanda Spirit": PM Modi "Secular Civil Code Need Of Times": PM Modi In Independence Day Speech "Strictest Punishment For Crimes Against Women": PM Amid Kolkata Protests Tear Gas Fired After Kolkata Protest Against Doctor's Rape-Murder Turns Violent 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Explained: Why Is Independence Day Celebrated At Red Fort Japan Set To Lift Megaquake Warning If There Is No "Major Seismic Activity" Is Great Britain Still Great? Nation Grapples With Deepening Poverty Crisis Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.