NEW DELHI: In a move that may prevent further stress on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and upper reaches of river Ganga in Uttarakhand, the Centre Wednesday told Supreme Court that it is not in favour of permitting any new hydro-electric project in Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins apart from the seven that have either been commissioned or have made substantial progress in construction.
Centre's Affidavit to Supreme Court
The Centre's view was expressed by the environment ministry through an affidavit to the Supreme Court, which has been examining the issue of allowing new hydel projects in the upper reaches of Ganga river basins since the Kedarnath disaster of 2013. The decision means the Centre will now go ahead with only seven of the 28 projects planned earlier and scrutinised by various committees. The Centre told the Supreme Court that the risk and damage to the environment, including the health of the river, is far greater than the financial and economic benefits of the remaining 21 hydro-power projects with a total capacity of about 2,100 MW.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The Supreme Court is expected to pass its order on the issue at the next hearing on August 20. It had in January granted three months to the Centre to take a final decision. The seven projects the government wants to continue include four already commissioned: Tehri Stage-II (1000 MW), Singoli Bhatwari (99 MW), Madhmaheshwar (15 MW), and Kaliganga-II (4.5 MW). Additionally, three projects in advanced stages of construction: Tapovan Vishnugad (520 MW), Vishnugad Pipalkoti (444 MW), and Phata Byung (76 MW) are also allowed to proceed.
Environmental Safeguards Required
The affidavit, representing a collective and consensus decision of three ministries: Jal Shakti, Power, and Environment, argued that these seven projects may be permitted to proceed, subject to strict compliance with applicable statutory provisions and environmental safeguards. This decision follows inter-ministerial consultations on recommendations from different expert committees. One committee had recommended 28 projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins, while another, comprising officials from Jal Shakti and environment ministries, recommended only five.
Reactions from Green Activists
Mallika Bhanot of Ganga Ahvaan, a citizen forum working towards conservation of the Ganga and Himalayan ecosystem, welcomed the decision. She said, "It is good to see that better sense has prevailed and the government has taken this wise and welcome step to prevent future tragedies like 2013 and protect the fragile and disaster-prone ecology of the Ganga-Himalayan basin." The decision to not have any new hydro-electric project in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins was taken following thorough inter-ministerial consultations.
