Germans to back Indians against dam?

02 August 1999

Germans to back Indians against dam?

GERMANY is to decide within the next two months whether it will support Indian banana and cane farmers whose livelihood is threatened by a massive dam project on the Narmada river.

The German government will decide whether to extend DM240 million (£92m) in export credit guarantees to Siemens and another firm building the Maheshwar dam. It is one of a chain of 30 big dams along the river.

The region is home to some of Indias richest farmers. They are concerned they will not be offered compensation.

German and US contractors have already abandoned the project.

• The Guardian 02/08/99 page 10