The Planning Commission (Govt. of India) has issued investment clearance for Upper Narmada Irrigation Project, proposed in Dindori district of Narmada Valley. This ambitious project would create irrigation potential of 18616 Ha. in Tribal dominated Dindori and Anuppur district. This is one of the major dam projects of Master Plan 1972 in which 29 major dam projects is to be built in the Valley. With this clearance of planning commission Narmada Valley Development Authority would be able to act upon related aspects before to start the construction. It may be mentioned here that Ministry of Environment & Forest and Ministry of Tribal affaires had issued necessary clearances for project some time ago. The Upper Narmada project includes a masonry dam over river Narmada on the boundaries of Dindori and Anuppur districts, along with earthen dams on both the flanks. The proposed 86.50 Km. long left bank canal would create 11284 Ha. irrigation potential while 65.50 Km long right bank canal would irrigate 7332 Ha. farm land. Out of total 18616 Ha. irrigation potential Dindori district would be benefited by 15005 Ha. and Anuppur district would be benefited by 3611 Ha. irrigation. The No. of beneficiary villages would be 89 from Dindori and 18 from Anuppur district. There would be 1229.89 Ha. of land of Dindori and 1210.82 Ha. land of Anuppur district would be submerged due to project reservoir. It is to note here that no forest land is coming under submergence. Reacting upon the clearance from planning commission Vice Chairman NVDA O.P. Rawat said that NVDA is happy to get the investment clearance from planning commission of Rs. 683.93 Cr. With this clearance we are gearing up the officials to act upon all necessary aspects so to start the work as earliest. Rawat informed that we are waiting planning commission's clearance for yet another major irrigation project over river Halon in Mandla district. If we get this clearance in near future this would be first example of getting planning commission clearance within the period of 12 months.