ABSTRACT
53“In many cases, a life span of forty years or less is normal for a reservoir [created by a dam]. This seems a relatively short period in which to enjoy the supposed benefits, given the enormous financial costs, the high level of borrowing (and the resulting strains on the economy) and the disruption of millions of people’s lives. The controversies in the winning of contracts for dams, and the irregularities in working out the ratio of benefits to costs, are well known … and do little to disprove the view that dams are being built more for the benefit of the contractors and politicians than people.” 20
