Larsen and Toubro (L & T), which is making a foray into the hydroelectricity sector, has reached an agreement to end a standoff over its 60-Mw Singoli-Bhatwari hydel project in the hilly Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
The work on the hydel project, which is being built on the river Mandakini, a tributary of the Ganga, had been suspended during the past several months due to prolonged agitation by the local people affected by the dam. They were seeking compensation in lieu of the damage to their houses and other properties due to construction of underground tunnels.
Following intervention by Rudraprayag District Magistrate Dilip Jawalkar, the company officials signed the agreement with the locals under which any damage to the life and property would be compensated by L&T. “The company is ready to take responsibility of the damage to the life and property,” said Jawalkar.
Singoli-Bhatwari is the first hydel project allotted to L&T, an infrastructure giant. The company has proposed to invest Rs 500 crore in this project.
The local leaders also confirmed that an agreement had been reached with L&T and urged the district administration to start identifying the people affected by the dam.
The Singoli-Bhatwari hydroelectric project is being built on the public-private partnership model. It is being executed on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis. The company will develop, finance, construct, commission and operate the power plant for a period of 45 years.
The project involves design and construction of a 20 metre high and 80 metre long barrage, 12 km long headrace tunnel, surface powerhouse, substation and a 12 km long 132 kv transmission line.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has also asked all the district magistrates to look into similar problems with other hydel projects also. Various companies like NTPC, THDC, NHPC, which are developing a host of hydel projects in the state, are facing agitation over rehabilitation issues.
