PM asked to disburse Tehri aid

ND Tiwari writes to Manmohan Singh for clearance of Rs 275cr for Tehri dam rehabilitation work

Uttaranchal Chief Minister ND Tiwari has sought Rs 275 crore from the Centre as part of a special package for the rehabilitation of those affected by the 2,400-MW Tehri dam project.

Tiwari has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seeking his intervention for the immediate release of the funds, approved by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Tiwari has also written to Union Power Minister PM Sayeed in this regard.

The two letters were released at a press conference here today by Minister of State for Industrial Development Kishor Upadhyay, who has been involved in the rehabilitation of the Tehri dam oustees.

In addition to the Rs 275-crore package, Upadhyay also sought an additional Rs 525 crore, which he said was needed for rehabilitation work in 125 villages, which were likely to be affected by the reservoir of the dam. Upadhyay also expressed hope that the Centre would release the funds without any delay.

Tiwari, in his letters, also cited last year's Supreme Court judgment, which called for evolving a mechanism to ensure that evacuation, resettlement and rehabilitation was completed prior to the closing of two diversion tunnels, required for the commissioning of the first phase of the project.

In this regard, Tiwari said about 8,317 families, fully or partially affected by the dam, had so far been rehabilitated, but a lot of work was yet to be done.

"Since time is of essence, as far as commissioning of this huge capital project is concerned, and rehabilitation is an issue which is being monitored by the Supreme Court, as well as by the committees constituted under its direction, I shall appreciate your (the Prime Minister's) personal attention and intervention for necessary directions to the Ministry of Power on the above points, so that the Tehri dam project and the rehabilitation of the affected families get completed at the earliest as per the schedule drawn up now," Tiwari said.

The 2,605-metre-high Tehri dam, which is a joint venture between the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, is the highest dam in Asia and ranks as 4th highest earth and rock fill dam in the world.

The project, work on which has been going on for the past two decades, has seen steep cost escalation. Starting from an initial Rs 200 crore, the cost of the project now stands at Rs 6000 crore.

Rehabilitation work

• An additional Rs 525 crore has been sought for rehabilitation work in 125 villages, which are likely to be affected by the reservoir of the dam
• About 8,317 families, fully or partially affected by the dam, have so far been rehabilitated
• The cost of the Tehri dam project now stands at Rs 6,000 crore