Author Topic: Hydro Projects In Uttarakhand - उत्तराखंड मे बन रहे हाड्रो प्रोजेक्ट (Read 39258 times)

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2008, 09:40:00 AM »

NGOs oppose hydel projects in Uttarakhand

Shishir Prashant / New Delhi/ Dehradun July 15, 2008, 0:22 IST

The hydel projects in Uttarakhand, which were opposed by environmentalist G D Agrawal, are facing legal battle launched by NGOs. The Indian Council of Enviro-Legal Action has filed a petition seeking stopping of the construction of dams between Uttarkashi and Gangotri in the Uttarakhand High Court.

The council also sought for the court's direction to restore the natural flow of the Bhagirathi and declare the area a national heritage site, saying these dams will destroy the precious bio-diversity of the river.

To counter this, RLEK, a Dehradun-based NGO, has also filed a counter 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 projects under pressure from various religious groups and has blatantly acted in violation of its own policy regarding hydro-electricity generation.

RLEK also said that the shortage of electricity in the state would adversely affect the growth of industries and in turn will lead to loss of employment opportunities.

The government had suspended the construction of two hydel projects following the lingering controversy over indefinite fast by Agrawal with the Sangh Parivar outfits also lending their full support last month.

Both the projects — Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati — were allotted to the state-owned Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL). An investment of nearly Rs 5,200 crore was proposed in these two projects.

Agrawal (76) had kept a fortnight-long indefinite fast to protest against the construction of a series of hydel projects as part of his save Bhagirath campaign.

The major dams, which are built on Bhagirathi include Pala Maneri (480 Mw), Lohari Nagpala (600 Mw), Bhairon Ghati (400 Mw) and Jad Ganga (200 Mw

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2008, 10:02:53 AM »

Notices issued to Centre, Uttarakhand, on hydel projects - Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times

The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, Uttarakhand government and six other respondents on a PIL seeking resumption of work on the Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati hydro power projects.

Admitting the petition filed by RLEK, a Doon-based NGO, a division bench comprising Chief Justice VK Gupta and Justice BC Kandpal directed the respondents to file their replies before July 30.

Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam, State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, National Thermal Power Corporation, Union Ministry of Water Resources and Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA) are the other respondents in the case.

The bench also decided to club the petition with another PIL filed by ICELA last month through eminent environment lawyer MC Mehta seeking a ban on tunneling work and construction of power projects on the Bhagirathi-Ganga and would hear both together.

Citing environmental and religious sentiments of millions of Hindus, the ICELA petition had sought directions for uninterrupted flow of the Bhagirathi and asked the court to declare the stretch between Gangotri and Dharasu as a national heritage.

On the other hand, the RLEK petition sought quashing of the ICELA petition stating that it was a 'political interest litigation' aimed at inciting religious sentiments ahead of the forthcoming general election.

As earlier reported, bowing to a fast-unto-death programme by environmentalist and former IIT-Kanpur Professor Dr GD Agrawal, the Uttarakhand government had stopped work on Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati—two power projects on Bhagirathi last month.

The recent petition maintained that the state government stopped work on these two projects by succumbing to religious groups with vested interests and in violation of its own policy regarding generation of hydro-electric power in Uttarakhand.

It stated that by not constructing these projects, the government would fail the state's residents who had sacrificed a lot for creation of a new state in the name of development.

The petitioner also argued that Rs 100 crores have already been spent on the projects and delaying them further would lead to a rise in their total cost and would also affect industries being set up in the state.

It further stated that hydro-electricity has been acknowledged to be a clean, cheap and environment-friendly form of power generation. Citing a SC ruling, it added that religious significance of rivers has not deterred construction of power projects in the past.

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2008, 12:27:13 PM »

There seems to be many oppose on hydro projects in UK.

We would seek your views that these opposes are genuine from public and bodies side or not.

Quote from: M S Mehta on July 15, 2008, 10:02:53 AM

Notices issued to Centre, Uttarakhand, on hydel projects - Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times

The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, Uttarakhand government and six other respondents on a PIL seeking resumption of work on the Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati hydro power projects.

Admitting the petition filed by RLEK, a Doon-based NGO, a division bench comprising Chief Justice VK Gupta and Justice BC Kandpal directed the respondents to file their replies before July 30.

Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam, State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, National Thermal Power Corporation, Union Ministry of Water Resources and Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA) are the other respondents in the case.

The bench also decided to club the petition with another PIL filed by ICELA last month through eminent environment lawyer MC Mehta seeking a ban on tunneling work and construction of power projects on the Bhagirathi-Ganga and would hear both together.

Citing environmental and religious sentiments of millions of Hindus, the ICELA petition had sought directions for uninterrupted flow of the Bhagirathi and asked the court to declare the stretch between Gangotri and Dharasu as a national heritage.

On the other hand, the RLEK petition sought quashing of the ICELA petition stating that it was a 'political interest litigation' aimed at inciting religious sentiments ahead of the forthcoming general election.

As earlier reported, bowing to a fast-unto-death programme by environmentalist and former IIT-Kanpur Professor Dr GD Agrawal, the Uttarakhand government had stopped work on Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati—two power projects on Bhagirathi last month.

The recent petition maintained that the state government stopped work on these two projects by succumbing to religious groups with vested interests and in violation of its own policy regarding generation of hydro-electric power in Uttarakhand.

It stated that by not constructing these projects, the government would fail the state's residents who had sacrificed a lot for creation of a new state in the name of development.

The petitioner also argued that Rs 100 crores have already been spent on the projects and delaying them further would lead to a rise in their total cost and would also affect industries being set up in the state.

It further stated that hydro-electricity has been acknowledged to be a clean, cheap and environment-friendly form of power generation. Citing a SC ruling, it added that religious significance of rivers has not deterred construction of power projects in the past.

Quote from: M S Mehta on July 15, 2008, 10:02:53 AM

Notices issued to Centre, Uttarakhand, on hydel projects - Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times

The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, Uttarakhand government and six other respondents on a PIL seeking resumption of work on the Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati hydro power projects.

Admitting the petition filed by RLEK, a Doon-based NGO, a division bench comprising Chief Justice VK Gupta and Justice BC Kandpal directed the respondents to file their replies before July 30.

Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam, State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, National Thermal Power Corporation, Union Ministry of Water Resources and Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA) are the other respondents in the case.

The bench also decided to club the petition with another PIL filed by ICELA last month through eminent environment lawyer MC Mehta seeking a ban on tunneling work and construction of power projects on the Bhagirathi-Ganga and would hear both together.

Citing environmental and religious sentiments of millions of Hindus, the ICELA petition had sought directions for uninterrupted flow of the Bhagirathi and asked the court to declare the stretch between Gangotri and Dharasu as a national heritage.

On the other hand, the RLEK petition sought quashing of the ICELA petition stating that it was a 'political interest litigation' aimed at inciting religious sentiments ahead of the forthcoming general election.

As earlier reported, bowing to a fast-unto-death programme by environmentalist and former IIT-Kanpur Professor Dr GD Agrawal, the Uttarakhand government had stopped work on Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati—two power projects on Bhagirathi last month.

The recent petition maintained that the state government stopped work on these two projects by succumbing to religious groups with vested interests and in violation of its own policy regarding generation of hydro-electric power in Uttarakhand.

It stated that by not constructing these projects, the government would fail the state's residents who had sacrificed a lot for creation of a new state in the name of development.

The petitioner also argued that Rs 100 crores have already been spent on the projects and delaying them further would lead to a rise in their total cost and would also affect industries being set up in the state.

It further stated that hydro-electricity has been acknowledged to be a clean, cheap and environment-friendly form of power generation. Citing a SC ruling, it added that religious significance of rivers has not deterred construction of power projects in the past.

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2008, 09:48:18 AM »

Uttarakhand invites private players to take over old hydel projects

Shishir Prashant / Dehradun July 22, 2008, 0:14 IST

In a major policy decision, the Uttarakhand government today decided to invite private players to renovate the state's ageing hydel projects.

In the first step, three to five projects will be handed over to the private sector. There are 12 projects in the state that are more than 35 years old and four are lying closed. The total capacity of these projects is 500 Mw.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister BC Khanduri. The move comes close on the heels of the government's decision last month to suspend the construction of two major hydel projects — 480-Mw Pala Maneri and 400-Mw Bharion Ghati — in the wake of the fast by G D Agrawal, an environmentalist spearheading the "save Bhagirathi" campaign.

Chief Secretary S K Das here said all the 23 hydel projects would be handed over to private companies on private-public partnership (PPP) mode on a lease of 30 years. The government would shortly invite Expression of Interests (EoIs) in this regard.

All these projects were being run by the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL). Sources from UJVNL said the top officials of the company were not privy to the decision taken by the state government.

UJVNL Chairman Yogendra Prasad admitted he had no idea about the new decision taken by the government. "I can only tell you after studying the decision," Prasad said.

This indicates that UJVNL will be asked to focus on new projects instead of the old ones.

The government took the decision because it was not able to generate enough financial resources for the renovation and modernisation of these projects.

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:39:37 PM »

Cabinet clears 444 mw hydel power plant for Uttarakhand
Thaindian.com, Thailand - 21 hours ago
The project, likely to be commissioned by 2013, will generate 444-mega watt electricity and cater to the northern states, mainly Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 28, 2008, 09:36:05 AM »

Uttarakhand government announces new power policy

Project today reported that Uttarakhand government has announced a new power policy favoring privatization that gives priority to the local people for constructing hydel projects unto 25 MW in the state. Besides locals gram panchayats and cooperative federations will be preferred in these projects.

As per report, there is also proposal to set up four small hydel projects with USD 41.6 million aid from Asian Development Bank.

The government has recently decided to hand over 35 year old hydro power projects to privatize companies to renovate and modernize them.

पंकज सिंह महर · « **Reply #26 on:** September 09, 2008, 10:29:05 AM »

लंबी फेहरिस्त है डरे हुए गांवों की। चाई, पाला, जसपुर, बिकोली, कुंजन, तिहार, भंगेली, बागी, पाटा, संगराली तथा ऐसे दर्जनों गांव और। ये वे गांव है जो जलविद्युत परियोजनाओं की सुरंगों के ऊपर बसे हैं और अक्सर रात-बिरात कांप उठते हैं। भूस्खलन और भूकंप संवेदी पहाड़ के बाशिंदे धरती के इस कंपन से हिल उठते हैं। गांव वाले पुनर्वास की मांग कर रहे हैं लेकिन उनकी कहीं सुनवाई नहीं। उत्तराखंड के जनकवि अतुल शर्मा का चर्चित गीत है-नदी तू बहती रहना, एक गांव पर संकट है। आंदोलन की कोख से जन्मा यह गीत भले ही पहाड़ की जुबान पर हो लेकिन अब तो इन्हीं गांवों में एक ऐसी समस्या उठ खड़ी हुई है जिस पर तत्काल ध्यान न दिया गया तो यह विकराल रूप ले सकती है। उत्तराखंड में जलविद्युत परियोजनाओं की सुरंगों के ऊपर व बांधों के मुहाने पर बसे होने के कारण अभी सौ से अधिक गांव मानो किसी टाइम बम पर बैठे हैं। और जैसे-जैसे इन परियोजनाओं का विस्तार हो रहा है और भी गांव इनकी जद में आते जा रहे हैं। भूस्खलन की दहशत में दिन काटना लोगों की लाचारी बन गई है। अक्सर जमीन धसकने की घटनाएं होती रहती हैं। जान-माल की सुरक्षा के लिए पाला गांववासी लंबे समय से आंदोलित हैं। समस्या की भयावहता का अंदाजा इसी से लगाया जा सकता है कि सुनगर, थिरांग, हुर्री, देवलांग, घुत्तू आदि दर्जनों गांवों में जलस्त्रोत सूखने से जल संकट हो गया है। कृषि-भूमि की नमी भी कम हो गई है। पुनर्वास की मांग पर कुंजन गांव की महिलाओं ने लंबे समय तक लोहरी नाग-पाला परियोजना का काम रोके रखा, पर मर्दो को आखिरकार दैनिक मजदूरी की मजबूरी में परियोजना प्रबंधकों से समझौता करना पड़ा। भिलंगना पनबिजली परियोजना का विरोध तो इतना व्यापक था कि कईजगहों से पद-यात्राओं के जत्थे वहां जा पहुंचे, लेकिन अंतत: आंदोलन टूट गया। आपदा प्रबंधन एवं गृह विभाग के प्रमुख सचिव एनएस नपलच्याल केवल इतना कहते हैं कि सभी भूगर्भीय परीक्षण कराने के बाद ही सुरंगों का निर्माण कराया जाता है। शासन ने विस्थापन नीति भी तय की है। सरकार की कोशिश रहती है कि किसी को भी परेशानी का सामना न करना पड़े। लेकिन वास्तविकता कुछ और है।यदि राज्य में पनबिजली के लिए चिह्नित दो सौ से अधिक परियोजनाएं स्थापित हो जाएं तो करीब 700 किमी लंबी सुरंगें बनेंगी और 52 बड़े बांध। केवल 20 परियोजनाओं के स्थापित होने से हालत यह है कि करीब सौ किमी सुरंगों के ऊपर सौ से अधिक गांव आ चुके हैं। भावी सुरंगों-बांधों के दायरे में एक हजार से अधिक गांव हैं जिनमें 10 लाख से अधिक आबादी है।

पंकज सिंह महर · « **Reply #27 on:** September 09, 2008, 12:16:57 PM »

By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 8 Sep: Sources have claimed that the government was rethinking on handing over old hydro power projects to private operators on PPP mode for renovation. They also stated that the Chief Minister had directed the senior officials in the Power department as well as UJVNL to review the decision to hand over the old hydel power projects to private operators.
It may be recalled that around 23 old power projects had been chosen for the renovation. These projects were more than 4 decades old and as per the government claims were not generating power to the best of their capacity. These projects included Chilla Power Project (144 MW), Chhibro (240 MW, but generating 180 MW at present), Khodri (120 MW), Dhakrani (33.75 MW), Dhalipur (51 MW), Kulhal (30 MW), Galogi (3 MW), Muhammedpur (9.3 MW), Pathri (20.4 MW) and Khatima (41.4 MW). In addition, Tilwari, Tapowan, Pandukeshwar, Koti and Badrinath power projects were some of the other projects identified for renovation. This added up to more than 700 MW of power already being generated. This entire generation at present belonged to the state as these power projects were owned by the state. Once these projects were handed over to private parties for renovation and upgradation, the state would have to purchase power from the new operators.
It may be recalled that the Cabinet had on 21 July approved the proposal to hand these projects to private operators for renovating and operating them for a period of 30 years. However, soon after the decision, a section of the media as well as the Opposition parties had openly opposed and criticised the move. This was even described as against the interests of the state as well as the power consumers since most of these projects were still running in profit. The cost of production too ranged from 19 paise to 40 paise per unit in respect of these projects while they generated revenue of hundreds of crores each year for UJVNL.
Sources claimed that a proposal to renovate them had been cleared by the government in the past, too. This proposal had estimated an expenditure of Rs 350 crores for the renovation of 23 power projects. However, the things did not move any further ostensibly because the government as well as the UJVNL seemed reluctant to spend this money from their resources. Experts termed the reluctance ironic and surprising as the return of the money was ensured within short time from the sale of power itself. It would be recalled that UJVNL sells power to UPCL at 44 paise per unit which in turn charges Rs 2 per unit from the power consumers.
Sources added that initially 3 power projects were identified for renovation in the first phase. They also claimed that even the private operators for these power projects had been identified though no formal decision had been taken so far in this respect. These 3 power projects were Mohammedpur (9.3 MW), Khodri (120 MW) and Pathri (20.4 MW). It was further claimed that the file had been submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office for approval.
However, it is now learnt that the government was now rethinking its decision in the wake of strong opposition to the move. While a final decision in respect of these 3 projects was yet to be taken, the indications were that the project had been put on the back burner for the present.
The opposition to hand over these power projects was based on the logic that there did not seem any logic behind leasing out these projects for a period of 30 years to private operators when the entire cost of renovation could have been easily recovered in a short period. Why did UJVNL not try to raise this much money through banks or other financial institutes for renovation of the projects running in profit when it was able to arrange money for new projects? This was another question that could not be answered satisfactorily by either the government or UJVNL.

पंकज सिंह महर · « **Reply #28 on:** September 24, 2008, 10:21:51 AM »

उत्तरकाशी। टिहरी बांध की झील करीब 40 गाव के लोगों पर कहर बनकर टूट रही है। झील एक-एक घर को अपने में समा रही है और लोग बेघर होकर अपना आशियाने की तलाशने दर-दर की ठोकर खा रहे हैं। झील का जल स्तर अभी 817 मीटर पहुंचते ही नदी पार पहुंचाने वाला पुल डूब गया है।
सत्तर के दशक में 24 सौ मेगावाट की टिहरी जल विद्युत परियोजना की आधार शिला रखी गई। तब हुए सर्वे में इसका कहीं उल्लेख नहीं था कि झील टिहरी से एक सौ से अधिक किमी. दूर चिन्यालीसौड़ तक पहुंचकर उसके गांवों को भी अपने में समा लेगी। 29 अक्टूबर 2005 को टिहरी डैम की टनल-टू का गेट गिरा दिया गया। वर्ष 2007 सितंबर माह में झील चिन्यालीसौड़ तक पहुंचने के बाद उत्तरकाशी जिले में खलबली मची। चिन्यालीसौड़ के गांव पानी में समाते रहे। लोग सड़कों पर आए। अक्टूबर 2007 में सिंचाई मंत्री मातवर सिंह कंडारी की अध्यक्षता में बैठक हुई और तय किया गया कि दशगी, गमरी, दिचली के गांवों को जोड़ने वाले देवीसौड़ झूला पुल के स्थान पर नया पुल निर्मित किया जाएगा किन्तु एक साल का समय व्यतीत होने के बाद भी पुल तो दूर जोगथ-चिन्यालीसौड़ मोटर मार्ग भी दुरुस्त नहीं किया गया। एक साल का समय व्यतीत होने के बाद टिहरी डैम की झील एक बार फिर विस्तार ले रही है। झील का जल स्तर 817 मीटर पहुंचने पर देवीसौड़ पुल जलमग्न हो गया है। ऐसे में तुल्याड़ा, सुनारगांव, देवीसौड़, हडियाडी, बधाण गांव, कुमराड़ा, बल्डोगी, मणि छोटी व बड़ी एवं खालसी गांव झील का जल स्तर बढ़ने के साथ ही दरकने लगे हैं। इन गांवों का पुनर्वास नीति में कहीं कोई उल्लेख नहीं है और न ही उत्तरकाशी जिला प्रशासन की इन्हें पुनर्वास नीति में शामिल करवाने की कोशिशें परवान चढ़ पाई। इन गांवों में आपात स्थिति से निबटने के जुगाड़ तलाशे जा रहे हैं। गांवों का अस्तित्व रहेगा इसे लेकर उप जिलाधिकारी प्रवेश चन्द्र डंडरियाल कुछ भी कहने को तैयार नहीं हैं जबकि क्षेत्रीय विधायक केदार सिंह रावत भृकुटी ताने प्रशासन पर आग बबूला हो रहे हैं। गढ़वालगाड़, जोगथ , क्यारी, सर्प, दिचली, जगड़गांव, बनकोट, पोखरी, कंवागड्डी, बगोडी, अनोल, भड़कोट, बादसी, पुजार गांव, खांड, कोट, अदनी, रौंतल, नेरी व जसपुर समेत अन्य गांवों में रह रहे 43 हजार से अधिक नदी के उस पार से मदद की गुहार लगा रहे हैं। उप जिलाधिकारी प्रवेश चन्द्र कहते हैं कि जोगथ मोटर मार्ग भूस्खलन से प्रभावित हैं और जल्द ही मार्ग दुरुस्त कर लिया जाएगा। क्षेत्रीय विधायक केदार सिंह रावत की अगुवाई में आंदोलन के प्रभावित हाथ उठाने लगे हैं उनकी मांग है कि क्षेत्र के सभी गांवों को तत्काल पुनर्वास नीति में शामिल किया जाए। इस मामले में पुनर्वास निदेशक/ जिलाधिकारी टिहरी सौजन्या भी मौन हैं।

हेम पन्त · « **Reply #29 on:** November 14, 2008, 10:19:10 AM »

Dehra Dun, Nov 13: Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda is likely to hold talks with Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri on the proposed Pancheshwar dam, coming up on the Mahakali River on the Indo-Nepal border, during his day-long visit to the state tomorrow, officials said on Thursday.

During his brief stay, he will also visit the Asia's highest 2400 MW Tehri hydel project and talk to officials on issues like displacement and rehabilitation of people due to the power project.

The 6000-MW Pancheshwar dam, which is being built at a cost of 30,000 crore, is likely to submerge a large chunk of land.

The officials said the issue of the dam is expected to come up during Prachanda's meeting with the Chief Minister. Uttarakhand Governor B L Joshi would host a lunch in the honour of the Nepalese premier at Raj Bhavan where Khanduri is also expected to be present along with his cabinet colleagues.

Prachanda would be accompanied by a high level delegation of officials of the Nepal government.

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सुरंगों में दफन होते पहाड़ के गांव...........!

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