HC stays re-tenders for 1,200-Mw power project

Acting on a writ petition filed by the Sawalakote hydro electric power project consortium from Norway, Turkey and HCC (India), the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has granted a stay directing the State Power Development Corporation to maintain status quo on the project.

A spokesman from the consortium said J&K High Court Jammu bench had granted a stay and directed the J&K PDC to maintain status-quo on the project.

The court has further restrained the J&K government from proceeding with the global tenders. It has also asked the government to respond by December 5 and the next date of hearing has been fixed for December 14.

Sawalkote consortium of SPASS of Norway, Ozaltin Constructions from Turkey and Hindustan Construction Company which was allotted the work of Rs 7,340 crore, 1,200 Mw hydel power project over the Chenab river in Doda, had approached the court after state cabinet reviewed the project work and cancelled the allotment on November 15.

The consortium challenged the decision of the J&K government in he court of law. The consortium argued that government's decision was unilateral in nature and there was no consultation whatsoever before the decision was taken.

After hearing the arguments from the consortium's counsel, senior Supreme Court lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhavi with Ritu Bhalla, Solanki Gupta and Parnav Kohli, Justice Nirmal Singh of J&K High Court stayed the government's proposal to float fresh global tenders for the execution of work on the prestigious power project over the Chenab in J&K state.