Video|Drone captures Harsud 22 years after submergence:Temples, homes and roads remain underwater; 245 villagers are displaced

Twenty-two years after old Harsud disappeared beneath the waters of the Indira Sagar Dam, the memories of the once-thriving town remain alive for thousands of displaced families. Every year, as the dam’s water level falls, the ruins of homes, roads, temples and other buildings reappear, bringing back painful memories of the town they were forced to leave behind. June 30, 2004, marks the day when the rising waters of the dam reached old Harsud in Khandwa district. Within days, the entire town was submerged, taking with it centuries of history, thousands of homes, markets, temples, mosques, streets and countless memories. Even today, many former residents return with their children, pointing to the remains and saying, “This was our home… This was our shop… This was our world.” Although the government promised to rebuild Harsud as a modern town with proper rehabilitation, employment opportunities and land ownership, many families say those promises remain unfulfilled. More than two decades later, thousands are still waiting for the registration of the land they paid for as part of the rehabilitation process. When the Dainik Bhaskar team visited old Harsud, the town stood silent beneath the open sky. Yet every broken wall, abandoned foundation and crumbling structure seemed to tell the unfinished story of a place that once bustled with life. Read the full report with drone VIDEO See old Harsud in six pictures from 22 years ago Rehabilitation happened, but ownership rights are still incomplete today According to the Harsud Displaced Association, after the notification of submergence, people were settled in Chhanera. Here, 2367 residential and 535 commercial plots were developed. For residential plots, each family deposited 20,000 rupees, and for commercial plots, traders deposited 17,550 rupees. This amount was received by them as compensation. That is, plots were received, but their registration did not happen. This is affecting people’s daily lives. Banks do not provide loans, and there are difficulties in buying or selling property and mutation. Many traders are still doing business in rented shops today. Harsud Displacement: A 22-Year story in figures On May 21, 2021, the state cabinet decided to grant ownership rights of rehabilitation area land to the displaced. Under this, approximately 574 hectares of land in wards 1 to 7 and ward 15 of Chhanera Nagar Parishad were handed over to the Revenue Department, and the Collector was instructed to complete the process of granting land ownership rights. However, even after five years, a large number of families are still waiting for the implementation of this decision. The Indira Sagar Project affected not only Harsud but also about 245 villages. Thousands of families left their homes, fields, shops, and ancestral identity. The displaced say that they sacrificed for development, but in return, they received incomplete rehabilitation and unfulfilled promises. Priests still reach the submerged temple on Tuesdays and Saturdays Anil Maheshwari, the priest of Khedapati Hanuman Temple in old Harsud, still visits the temple regularly today. When the water level is low, he goes to the temple by bike, and when the water rises, he goes by boat. In the last 22 years, he has not missed a single Tuesday or Saturday without visiting Hanumanji. He says that even though Harsud may have been submerged in water, its faith, culture, and memories are still alive today. The city’s name may be removed from records, but not from people’s hearts. He believes that as long as he is alive, the worship and tradition of this temple will also remain alive. Promise to build Harsud like Chandigarh unfulfilled New Harsud was promised to be developed as a modern and well-planned city like Chandigarh. Better roads, education, health, and employment were also assured, but even after 22 years, large industries and sufficient employment opportunities could not be developed. Due to lack of employment, a large number of youths have migrated to other cities. 5 Key Demands of the Displaced Showing ruins to children, they say – this was our heaven When the water recedes, a large number of displaced people reach old Harsud with their children. They show them the remains of their homes, shops, schools, and neighborhoods and tell them that their lives once resided here. The Dainik Bhaskar team also met several families who were narrating the history of their old city to the new generation. Now the fight is not for return, but for justice The displaced people say that they do not hope for the return of old Harsud. Their only demand is that the promises on which they left everything should be fulfilled. Families who paid the price for development are still waiting to get ownership of their land. SDM said – The city was divided into 17 sectors everyone will get ownership rights According to Harsud SDM Ramchandra Khatediya, the process of dividing New Harsud and Chhanera into 17 sectors and granting ownership rights is underway. So far, the urban survey and map correction for 5 sectors have been completed, and registrations are being carried out there. However, due to a technical issue on the RCMS (Revenue Case Management System) portal, the mutation (transfer of ownership) is currently on hold, and it may take about two months. In the remaining sectors, the work of survey, map correction, and rectifying revenue records is also ongoing.