‘MoEF violated Supreme Court order’

The panel has blamed hydropower projects for last year’s floods and landslides in Uttarakhand that claimed more than 10,000 lives. The Srinagar Hydropower project on the Alakananda river dumped debris into the river that caused extensive damage to the Srinagar town in Uttarakhand. Photo: Soma BasuTHE future of two hydropower projects in Uttarakhand has become unclear after a Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) expert panel submitted its report to the Supreme Court last month. The report says MOEF’S decision to give clearances to the Lakhwar and Vyasi projects in February this year is a violation of an apex court order in August last year that called for a ban on hydropower projects in the state.

THE future of two hydropower projects in Uttarakhand has become unclear after a Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) expert panel submitted its report to the Supreme Court last month. The report says MOEF’S decision to give clearances to the Lakhwar and Vyasi projects in February this year is a violation of an apex court order in August last year that called for a ban on hydropower projects in the state.

The Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department had started an integrated Lakhwar-Vyasi project in the 1980s after taking environmental clearances. The project was shelved in 1992 because of financial crunch and accidents. Later, the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited decided to split the project into two and approached MOEF for fresh clearances. The ministry gave a nod in February this year saying the two projects were not new and only the implementing agency had changed.

Talking about the clearances, the report says, “This (the clearance) is in violation of the spirit of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order of August 13, 2013. It is also noticed that these projects were approved more than 25 years ago. Consequently, they do not have any EIA/EMP (environmental impact assessment and environment management plan) studies that are mandatory today.” The 300-MW Lakhwar and 120-MW Vyasi hydropower projects are located in the Upper Yamuna River Basin in Dehradun district.

The expert panel has also said hydropower projects were responsible for the large-scale floods and landslides in Uttarakhand last June. The panel was set up after a directive by the court asking for a committee to determine role of hydropower projects in the catastrophe that claimed over 5,000 lives in the state.

The panel, in its report submitted to the court on April 18, has recommended a complete overhaul of the environment clearance policy for hydropower projects in ecologically sensitive areas. “All projects > 2 MW, which entail tunneling, barrages and construction of reservoir, shall require prior Environmental Clearances from MOEF and subsequently, such projects falling in the eco-sensitive zones of notified National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Uttarakhand should take prior permission from National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)… Construction activities in all under-construction HEPs (hydel projects) which have failed to obtain clearance from NBWL must come to a stop immediately till such clearance is obtained and considered by expert appraisal committee,” the report states. Earlier, projects with capacity of more than 25 MW needed environment clearances. The panel report has also called for the setting up of an independent authority to commission EIAs.

The report says hydropower projects should not be allowed in areas that are located at altitudes higher than 2,200 metres in Uttarakhand. The panel observes that since environmental flow (minimum flow in the river required to sustain ecology) is less in Uttarakhand rivers, it should be ensured that a minimum of 50 per cent flow in the lean season and 30 per cent during the non-monsoon periods is maintained.

The panel report has surprised environmentalists who were questioning the credibility of the panel as it included several government officials who were responsible for hydropower clearances in the state. “The final report which came out despite so many dissenting voices and in such short period of time shows how serious the issue of hydropower projects in Uttarakhand is. But, it leaves a lot to be interpreted by the court of the ministry,” says Manoj Mishra, convenor of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan. In fact, it has also made the ministry jittery. MOEF on May 7 asked the apex court to form another panel to review the report. The court, however, asked the ministry to give reasons why it wants another committee. The matter will be heard in July.

Uttarakhand has the second highest hydropower potential in the Himalayan states after Arunachal Pradesh. The state has been pushing hard to achieve an ambitious programme of developing 450 hydel projects to harness its potential of 27,039 MW. The expert panel says several hydel projects are situated in eco-sensitive zones and in the vicinity of national parks and sanctuaries.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/moef-violated-supreme-court-order-44364

Uttarakhand floods: NGT notice to Alaknanda Hydropower Company for damage to Srinagar town

Floodgates of the 330-MW Srinagar Dam in Pauri were opened on the night of June 16, which inundated many areas (Photo: SOUMIK MUKHERJEE)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued to notice to the managers of the Srinagar Hydroelectric Project for the damage caused to various areas in Srinagar town during Uttarakhand floods because of irresponsible dumping of debris removed from the site of the 330 MW project. Besides Alaknanda Hydropower Co. Ltd (AHCL), notices have also been issued to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Uttarakhand State government.

The notices follow a petition filed by Premballabh Kala of people’s group, Srinagar Bandh Aapda Sangharsh Samiti, and activist Vimal Bhai of Matu Jansangthan, seeking compensation for damage caused to the areas such as Shaktibihar, Chauhan Mohalla, Alkeshwar Temple and government as well as private property.

Counsel Rahul Choudhary, who appeared on behalf of applicants, argued that the project proponent, AHCL, had dumped large quantities of debris generated from the construction of the Srinagar Hydroelectric Project just beside the gates of the dam on the river bed of the Alaknanda river.

Criminal negligence?

During the Uttarakhand floods  on June 16-17, last year, the reservoir of the Srinagar Hydroelectric Project was filled due to heavy rainfall. AHCL kept the gates closed which led to accumulation of water. When the water was far above the limit, AHCL opened the dam gates without informing or sounding any alert to the localities downstream. The massive flow of water swept away the muck that was dumped in the river bed by the dam authorities and damaged the villagers and houses. In certain areas, level of debris and silt in the houses touched the ceiling. The counsel argued that AHCL had not even constructed retention wall which resulted in further damage from the dam.

After hearing the counsel, the bench of five members issued the notice to the respondents. Next hearing is scheduled on February 6.

“Even after six months since the June calamity, there has been no inquiry by the state or Central government. We have been trying to file an FIR but local district police officials have always refused to do so. It is very much clear that politicians are supporting dams, not the welfare of people and are pursuing their own personal interest,” said Vimal Bhai.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/uttarakhand-floods-ngt-notice-to-alaknanda-hydropower-company-for-damage-to-srinagar-town-43252

Vishnuprayag hydel project suffers extensive damage

The Alaknanda river that flows by Joshimath has changed its course after the disaster (photo courtesy Matu Jan Sangathan)

The 400 MW Vishnuprayag Hydroelectric Project across the Alaknanda river near Joshimath in Uttarakhand suffered extensive damage during the floods that hit the state recently.

The barrage of the project, being implemented by Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd (JPVL), a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL), was covered completely with debris and the river has changed it course.

Udayan Sharma, manager of investor relations for JPVL, said that the barrage of the project has been covered with debris but the main component of the project, the powerhouse, which is located 25 km downstream is unharmed. It will take only three to four months after the monsoons to clear the debris from the barrage and power generation could be resumed, he said.

The exact scale of damage can be ascertained only after the debris is cleared from the barrage. The loss is roughly estimated to be of Rs 40-50 crore. Sharma, however, said that the project has adequate insurance cover.

The damaged Vishnuprayag hydroelectric project as on June 26, 2013

The project is now in ‘force majeure’ and its commercial aspects has to be addressed in accordance with power purchase agreement between Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) and the company.

Sharma said that the change in the river course has made their work easier. He said that the course had to be shifted to clear the debris. But now, since the course is already changed, they would clean the debris from the barrage and the river be returned to original course.

Residents demanding compensation threatened

Local residents alleged that the flood water formed a two km reservoir upstream the dam. Pressure from the water broke the dam and went on to wipe out Lambagad village market. They also said the dam had caused them misery earlier during the 2012 floods when water was released from it unannounced. Several shops in the market were washed away. Vimal Bhai of non-profit Matu Jan Sangathan said: “When villagers asked for compensation from dam authorities, dam authorities threatened to file police cases against them.”

The hydroelectric project before the Uttarakhand flood disaster

Vishnuprayag Hydroelectric Project was the first dam to be built under a private-public partnership on the Alaknanda. Vimal Bhai also said that damage in Vishnuprayag, that lies at the confluence of the Alaknanda river and the Dhauliganga river, was more severe because of the dam.

Other projects that were damaged

A slew of projects have suffered damage in the recent floods. Construction of diversion tunnel of 520 MW Tapovan-Vishugad hydroelectric project (HEP) was completed in April this year, but it was washed away in the recent floods. In August last year, the flash floods had caused serious damage to the coffer dam of the project. The 76 MW Phata Byung HEP of Lanco and 99 MW Singoli Bhatwari HEP of L&T on the Mandakini were also damaged. Locals alleged silt deposited because of the projects changed the course of rivers.

The Powerhouse of 280 MW Dhauliganga project of NHPC in Pithoragarh was submerged, but is now working. The Himalaya Hydro (HH) Tanga Phase I for 5 MW, located along the Paina Gad in Goriganga basin, is badly damaged. Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency’s 500 KW Moti Gad Micro Hydel project on Moti Gadh (a tributary of Paina Gadh) at Bindi (Dani Bagad) was also badly damaged.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/vishnuprayag-hydel-project-suffers-extensive-damage-41610