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| Akhara Parishad opposes Bhagirathi hydel projects |
| Shishir Prashant / New Delhi/ Dehra Dun Mar 22, 2010, 00:13 IST |
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The All-India Akhara Parishad, an apex body of sadhus and seers, has sought a blanket ban on all the hydropower projects on Bhagirathi river in the Uttarakashi area of Uttarakhand.
The Parishad, an influential body, is beginning a dharna from Monday at Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar to press for its demand for the closure of all the major projects, which include NTPC’s 600-Mw Lahori Nagpala and others belonging to the state-run Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL).
Significantly, the demand for the closure of all the projects came when a decision on the three key hydropower projects on the Bhagirathi, which were put on hold, is expected from the Centre in April when the ‘Maha kumbh’ mela culminates at Haridwar. The Centre has already made it clear that it would not sanction any new projects on the Bhagirathi.
While NTPC’s Lohari Nagpala, which is being built in Uttarkashi district with an investment of Rs 2,500-3,000 crore, is at a very advance stage, the UJVNL had also done considerable work on its 480 Mw Pala Maneri and 380 Mw Bhaironghati.
NTPC had already invested Rs 550 crore in the Lohari Nagpala project and UJVNL Rs 100 crore in the Pala Maneri project.
Meanwhile, the state government has launched informal talks through its emissaries with the Akhara Parishad to resolve the issue. “We want the state government to find an amicable solution to the problem,” said BJP Vice President Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.
On the other hand, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Sabodh Kant Sahay, who was in Haridwar, also held talks with the Akhara Parishad in this regard.
But the Akhara Praishad remained firm on its decision to hold the dharna.
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