1949: Dam conceived

1961: Tehri chosen as tentative site

1967 to 1972: Sporadic protests begin

1972: Planning Commission go-ahead

1978: Construction begins under police protection; protests gather momentum

1980: Environmental Appraisal Committee (EAC) refuses clearance

1986: Diversion tunnels start operating; protestors storm dam site and stall work

1990: EAC disallows project again

1991: Quake measuring 6.6 on Richter scale rocks Uttarkashi. Seismic safety of the dam under the scanner

1992: Environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna goes on fast unto death. Work halted

1995: Bahuguna and supporters try to stop the work at dam site. Bahuguna goes on hunger strike. Another committee on seismic safety set up. Verdict fractured

1997: Bahuguna goes on a fast again

1997: Hanumantha Rao panel submits its report on rehabilitation. Moots major changes in policy

1999: Chamoli earthquake rekindles debate on dam safety

1999: Committee of secretaries gives green light

January 2001: Bhuj quake highlights seismic vulnerability

March 2001: Vishwa Hindu Parishad joins the anti-dam movement just as tunnels were to be closed.

April 2001: Government sets up Murli Manohar Joshi committee. Bahuguna goes on fast unto death but protest grows mild

December 2001: Joshi committee is yet to give its final report but gates of two diversion tunnels are closed and water level rises. Decks cleared for final stage.Two cases, pertaining to rehabilitation and environment, still pending in the Supreme Court