Noting that use of generators due to power shortage is the main reason forhightened pollution levels in the city, leading environment and Padma Shree awardee human rights activist Avdhash Kaushal today demanded resumption of stalled hydel projects in the state.
He said that contrary to the common perception that vehicular emissions are the principal cause of pollution, diesel guzzling generators cause much more pollution.
"The truth is that there is a severe power shortage in the city. Most offices, factories, residential houses and areas have diesel guzzling and toxic fume-spewing generators that cause much more pollution," he said.
He highlighted a recent World Health Organisation report which ranked Dehradun as 31st most polluted city in the world.
He said increase in power generation through hydel power plants based in the state is the "best way out".
"It is ironic indeed that the state of Uttrakhand which has been widely proclaimed as 'Urja Pradesh' is short of power and this is happening because of the stalled hydropower projects in the state," he said.
Three major state-owned projects - Lohari Nagpala (600 MW), Pala Maneri (480 MW), and BhaironGhati (381 MW) - are over 80 per cent complete but stalled.
"Behind the garb of ecological preservation, efforts for sustainable power production like these dams, which are close to completion, have been stopped which is making the state devoid of power and also causing environmental damage," he said.
"The state government must ask the Centre to withdraw the notification declaring the stretch from Gangotri to Uttarkashi as eco-sensitive zone, which was detrimental to development of the area," he added.
