Hundreds of people collected at Jantar Mantar to oppose imposition of section (5) of the Environmental (Protection) Act on the hydro power project at Srinagar in Uttarakhand.
The project, which was in its last phase of construction, is stopped. As a result, several people have been left jobless. Members of Srinagar, Chauras Jal Vidyut Pariyojna Prabhavit Sangharsh Samiti participated in the protest that held in Delhi on Tuesday.
On the Alaknanda river, a 330 MW project is being developed in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. It is a 90 m high dam with a power purchase agreement with Uttar Pradesh.
It also includes a clause which says 12 per cent of the output will be supplied free to Uttarakhand. “The project is nearing 80 per cent completion with over 3,000 people employed,” said a worker from Uttarakhand.
Operations were expected to commence by mid 2013.
“But because of local NGOs opposing this project, many people are left jobless. We will sit here till our demands are met,” said the worker.
Close to Rs 2,500 crore has been spent on this power project developed by Alaknanda Hydro Power Corporation Limited.
It has given an indirect employment to several people by awarding contracts to them.
The Supreme Court had given an order on January 30, 2012 saying the construction work should continue and if the work is stopped it will be considered as a contempt of court.
“We are in Delhi to put across our views on dams and hydro projects before the Centre. I have sought help from other MPs and political parties as well.
Due this halt in work, the state has been facing employment issues and forced to seek additional power from Himachal Pradesh,” said Mantri Prasad Naithani, Uttarakhand water resources minister.
Src: Deccan Herald