After the suspension of construction work at two major hydel projects last month, GVK’s 330 Mw Alaknanda hydel project is also facing opposition from locals.
The government suspended construction work at the dam site several days ago, following protests from locals, who alleged that GVK was disposing of the ground material into the Alaknanda river, causing environmental hazards. This prompted the state government to set up a committee to look into the matter.
“Till the committee submits its report, no construction activities would be permitted at the dam site,” said C Bhaskar, additional secretary (power). However, Srinagar SDM M D Joshi said the work at the dam site is still on.
The Alaknanda project is being proposed at Srinagar in Pauri district of Uttarakhand with an investment of Rs 1,600-2,000 crore. GVK wants to complete the project in 3 years.
Two years ago, GVK bought majority stake in the Alaknanda company from Tata Power. Tata Power, which bought the stake from Synergy company in 2003 and changed the name of the project from Dunkan North Hydro Power Company to Alaknanda hydro power corporation, was the majority stake in the Alaknanda company.
Before Synergy came into picture, it was Dunkan company which wanted to construct the project. Though the project was conceptualised in the 1990s, the construction work could not start due to various reasons.
“All the previous companies did not show any enthusiasm in starting the construction work and subsequently GVK was allowed to take over the project,” said a power department official.
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Meanwhile, GVK has also agreed to elevate the Dhari Devi temple which is coming under the reservoir of the dam. “This temple would be elevated to a certain height and necessary infrastructure would be built in this regard by the company,” said Joshi.
Significantly, the government had kept in abeyance the construction of its two major hydel projects — 480 Mw Pala Maneri and 400 Mw Bhaironghati — on the river Bhagirathi following protests by environmentalists last month.