With the suspension of three major hydel projects in Uttarakhand, non-government organisations (NGOs) are seeking a legal recourse to the vexed issue.
After challenging the decision of the Uttarakhand government, the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a Dehra Dun-based NGO, has decided to file a fresh petition before the Uttarakhand High Court challenging the Centre’s decision to suspend NTPC’s 600-Mw Lohari-Nagpala power project on the river Bhagirathi. The project is expected to attract an investment of Rs 2,800 crore.
“Through our petition, we will highlight that the suspension of these projects would escalate their cost and severely jeopardise the country’s efforts to provide electricity to all villages,” RLEK Chairperson Avadash Kaushal said.
On the other hand, the Indian Council of Enviro-Legal Action has filed a petition in the high court for stopping the construction of all dams on the Bhagirathi between Uttarkashi and Gangotri areas.
The Council also sought the court’s direction to restore the natural flow of the river and declare the area a national heritage site, saying these dams would destroy the biodiversity of the river.
To counter this, RLEK has filed a petition in the high court seeking direction to the state government to restart the construction of two major hydel projects — 480-Mw Pala Maneri and 400-Mw Bhairon Ghati on the Bhagirathi river.
RLEK in its petition alleged that the state government halted the construction of these two projects under the pressure of various religious groups and has acted in violation of its own policy regarding hydropower generation.
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The NGO also said the shortage of electricity would hit the growth of industries in the state, which will lead to loss of employment opportunities.
Both the Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati projects were allotted to the state-owned the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. An investment of nearly Rs 5,200 crore was proposed in these two projects.