Recent govt study proposed exclusion of about 2,900 MW of hydel projects in Uttarakhand as they may impact ecology of the state

Over Rs 17,000 crore worth of investments in Uttarakhand would be impacted if the proposals of a government study to stop work on various hydel projects in the state are implemented. A recent government study has proposed exclusion of about 2,900 MW of hydel projects in Uttarakhand as they may impact the ecology of the state, sources said.

Over Rs 17,000 crore worth of investments in Uttarakhand would be impacted, if the proposals of a Government study to stop work on various hydel projects in the State are implemented.

Does the ministry of water resources plans to construct 680 big and small dams on the Ganga and its tributaries?

An RTI filed by water activist Bharat Jhunjhunwala in 2010 revealed that the Uttarakhand government planned to construct 557 dams across the Ganga and its tributaries. The website of the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL) reveals plans to construct another 290 dams. While going through these two lists, Dr Ravi Chopra, director of the Dehra Dun-based People’s Science Institute, said, “One hundred and thirteen dams were common in both lists while another 117 dams that were in the pipeline had not been listed in the RTI.”

With the mercury going up in the hills, the momentum of protests are also going in the same direction in Uttarakhand over the issue of hydel projects.

India’s top Public Sector Undertakings and private companies like L&T, Lanco, GMR, GVK, NTPC, THDCIL and UJVN are constructing hydel projects on the Ganga and its tributaries in Garhwal region with potential to generate 10,000 megawatts (mw) of power. These days, there are two different and contradictory protests going on in the hill state — one led by Avdhash Kaushal, a social activist, who wants the early completion of all dams on the Ganga and its tributaries where clearances had already been made.

Blocked wildlife corridors across the Kosi river. Now a rash of private properties inside the tiger reserve itself.

The Supreme Court Wednesday issued notice to the central and five state governments on a petition seeking complete curb on the sale and supply of synthetic and adulterated milk and its products lik

The Uttarakhand Revenue and Irrigation Minister, Mr Yashpal Arya, on Friday directed officials to remove hurdles coming in the way of construction of the proposed multipurpose Jamrani dam project o

They demand resumption of work on power projects in Uttarakhand by May 20

Three Padma Shri awardees on Friday threatened begin a fast from May 21 if the government did not resume work on power projects in Uttarakhand by May 20. The announcement has become all the more important as several women on dharna at the Vishnugad–Pipalkoti project site have threatened self-immolation if work is not resumed immediately.

New Delhi The Uttarakhand High Court has ordered cancellation of the 200 MW Mapang Bogudiyar hydroelectric project awarded to a GVK-L&T consortium by the state government earlier, after it was found that the entity did not meet key eligibility conditions to bid for the project.

The court has ordered the state government to award the project to Reliance Infrastructure, which emerged as the second highest bidder for the project The company had also challenged the state government’s decision to award the project to the GVK-L&T combine in the court.

A group of villagers, affected by the stalling of the Him Urja Vidyut Pariyojna at Nandprayag and Vishnugad Vidyut Pariyojna at Pipalkoti, staged a symbolic chakka jam on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway at Pipalkoti on Sunday, threatening self-immolation if the government didn't order the resumption of construction work there.

Unhappy with the government for first promising power and revenue generation opportunities to the affected villagers while taking away their lands, and later scrapping the projects at the instance of some environmentalists, the villagers — mostly women — threatened self-immolation if work wasn't resumed by May 10.