Hydro power projects: U’khand govt to seek environment report

Taking a cue from the controversies shrouding over hydropower projects on Ganga tributary in Uttarakhand. The government has asked India Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to conduct an study and prepare a environment feasibility report.

The move is aimed to avoid further bottleneck while granting sanction for the projects in future. As per officials IIT-R is working on the given task and will soon submit report.

“Environment feasibility study is must for before granting permission to hydro power projects. The government faced problem since there was no such study conducted earlier” told Dr SS Sandhu, secretary (power) to Hindustan Times.

As per Dr Sandhu, the report will save government if some question arises in any point of time. “This (environment study) is an essential technical requirement. We are hoping to get report by this month” he added.

The Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has shown his interest in pushing hydropower projects. “We need them for the development of state” Bahuguna said.

In fact BJP government was forced to shut two under construction hydropower projects – Pala Maneri and Bharo Ghati being constructed on the Ganga River, owing to the stiff protest by activist GD Agarwal and some saints on environmental and religious ground.

Further Agarwal raised voice against under construction 520 megawatts – Lohari Nagpala projectowned by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). As a result union government issued order for the closer of the project.