CASE STUDY ON

BHAVNATH TEMPLE
NAME
: Mohit G. Aggarwal
ROLL NO.
: 13024
BATCH
: 2013-15 (Semester I)
SUBJECT
: Managerial Skills Development

SUBMITTED TO:
Dr. Darshana Dave
Prof. H.N. Patel

INTRODUCTION
The case is about the dilemma of the government as to what course of
action it should adopt in building the dams and how to meet the resistance
of the people who oppose the construction of dam as it would submerge
their ancient Bhavnath Temple.

SYNOPSIS
After Independence the attention of Indian Government was directed
towards all round economic development.

Accordingly a proposal was

worked out in the undivided Bombay Province to build earthen dams

across rivers Lokmata and Sadmata. The government had two plans (see
table) of which it had to select one.

Plan 1

Plan 2

Water
Million cu. Ft.
F.S.L. (Full Supply
Level)
H.F.L. (Highest Flood
Level)

4700

5700

592

595

596

606

R.L. (Reduced Level)

601
1.7 crore

1.9 crore + cost of

constructing canal
system
More than plan I
More than plan I
More than plan I

Cost

Irrigable area
Annual Revenue
Increase in
agriculture
production annually
Agriculture value
Temple

92000 acre
15.83 lakhs
30,400 tonnes

147.74 lakhs
Affected but
government will
provide all weather
access by building
gates.

More than plan I

Government has to
shift the deities of the
temple to another
location.

The affected people would be relocated by providing houses and means of

livelihood.

OBJECTIVES
Long-term:

Economic development of the nation.

Short-term:
Developing irrigation facilities.
Constructing dam

PROBLEMS

Submergence of villages
Submergence of Bhavnath Temple
Adamant opposition from people to save the temple

CONSTRAINTS
Location of the temple
Location of the dam
(Had any of the two been at other place, then it would have been
easier for the

government to construct the dam.)

CRITERIA

Maximum Irrigation
Minimum time to construct the dam (it would help in Cost

reduction.)
Maximum Revenue
Minimum or no grievances

ALTERNATIVES

If plan I is followed:
o

Providing gates on the water weir so the flood water does

o
o

not rise to endanger the temple.

Increasing the height of the base of the temple
Developing Bhavnath Temple as an international tourist

spot for more revenues

If plan II is followed:
o Convincing people for shift of temple with the help of
priests and explaining them why constructing dam is
beneficial to all.

EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES
In case of plan I, people are convinced about constructing dams as the
temple could be saved by taking safeguards as mentioned above. People
dont have objection towards submergence of villages but the temple. The
temple can be developed as a tourist place which can increase the
revenues for the government.
In case of plan II, the control levels needs to be raised due to which temple
cant be saved. Though it would promise more irrigation development and
government is considering to shift the temple, opposition from the people

is

tough

to

settle.

ACTION PLAN
The government should go with the plan II as it promises better economic
and agricultural development. The benefit of irrigation facilities would
spread to a larger area and thus revenue would also increase. Also the
construction of canal and increase in dam height increase costs marginally.
Economic development of a nation cannot be pushed at the backbench
holding emotional reasons. The law says that if a project benefits society
at large, government can implement it even if people oppose it. Once the
temple is shifted and the place is developed the protest shall curb down.
So government should not step back fearing public opposition.

CONTINGENCY PLAN
If due to any reason Plan II backfires, government can go with Plan I which
is a public accepted plan.