Caught between SC & Centre, 24 Uttarakhand hydel projects stuck on paper after 2013 floods
Despite 31 Supreme Court hearings and 3 government committee reports, a clear policy on hydroelectricity projects (HEPs) in Uttarakhand has remained elusive.
Bhadra Sinha 16 February, 2021 8:15 am IST Text Size:
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New Delhi: The 7 February Uttarakhand flood left two hydropower projects severely damaged and put the spotlight on such projects in the fragile Himalayan terrain as deliberations started afresh on avoiding and mitigating flooding disasters in the state.
Hydropower projects in the state became a subject of discussion in light of the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy. In 2014, the Supreme Court put on hold 24 proposed plants in the Alaknanda and Bhagirath river basins of Uttarakhand and asked the government to outline a policy regarding hydropower projects. Seven years later, the projects are still hanging fire.
Aerial view of the washed away Tapovan hydel power project plant after Sunday’s glacier burst. Photo: PTI
New Delhi: After a massive flash flood triggered by a glacial lake burst wreaked havoc in the Rishiganga valley of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district recently, serious concerns are once again being raised over hydropower and hydroelectricity projects in the region.
Experts have demanded a ban on heavy infrastructure work carried out under such projects in the fragile eco-sensitive zones of the Himalayas. Deep concerns have also been expressed over the adverse effects on the health of the Ganga river as these projects restrict water flow.
Updated Feb 07, 2021 | 21:20 IST
BJP leader Uma Bharti also opined that the Uttarakhand glacier burst is a matter of concern as well as a warning. BJP leader Uma Bharti | Photo Credit: PTI
Key Highlights
The Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand s Chamoli district, leading to flash flood in Dhauli Ganga river
The flood caused large-scale damage to flora and fauna in the upper reaches of Himalayas
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti on Sunday said that as a minister she had opposed the idea of having any power project on river Ganga and its major tributaries. She also opined that the Uttarakhand glacier burst is a matter of concern as well as a warning.
Centre decides to set up bio-tiolets at Ganga ghats in Kanpur
Centre decides to set up bio-tiolets at Ganga ghats in Kanpur
The Centre Will Set Up Bio-toilets At Ganga Ghats, An Official Told In Kanpur On Friday. PTI | Updated on: 07 Jul 2017, 11:08:08 PM
The Centre will set up bio-toilets at Ganga ghats, an official told in Kanpur on Friday.
In the first phase, the bio-toilets, to be set up under the Centre s Namami Gange project, would come up at six ghats, said project member Tanveer Ahmad.
While two such toilets would be set up at the Massacre Ghat, Gola Ghat, Magazine Ghat, Koyala Ghat, Guptar Ghat and Bhagwatdas Ghat would have one bio-toilet each, he said. The move would benefit those living in the settlements on the banks of the river, he added.