MP to move apex court on Omkareshwar

The MP government is planning to move the Supreme Court against a High Court ruling that has barred Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation, a joint venture between the state and NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation), from filling the 520 MW Omkareshwar project reservoir.

The Jabalpur High Court upheld its ruling and dismissed the state government's March 30 application to vacate the stay on the closure of river sluice gates and radial gates.

"After hearing the public interest litigation filed by us, the Court has ordered the state government to complete the rehabilitation of those ousted in accordance with the provision of the 1993 resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) plan," said Chitrupa Palit, a Narmada Bachao Andolan activist in Bhopal.

Meanwhile, an NHDC source told Business Standard that the state government would soon move the Supreme Court because R&R had been completed to fill the reservoir up to 189 metres. "We wanted to fill the reservoir partly so that at least two machines could generate power during peak hours," the source said.

NHDC is one of the respondents in the case.

The court, according to NBA activists, has said all pleadings, including the counter-affidavit (of respondents) and reply of the petitioner, must be completed by 30 June. The date of the final hearing has to be decided in first week of July.

Sources said the project would not be delayed since it was to be completed by October. As of now, three machines (turbines) are ready to generate power.

The company's top executive was not available for comment. The state Advocate General could not be contacted, either. Though the cost of the project, Rs 2,254 crore, would not escalate, the losses would be in terms of power generation, the source said.

The 520 MW project is downstream the 1,000 MW Indira Sagar Project.