It's a bumpy ride for NTPC's hydropower foray in Uttarakhand

Power giant National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) attempt to enter the hydropower sector in Uttarakhand is turning out to be a bitter experience with two of its hydel projects being scrapped.

After being allotted 4 projects with a capacity over 1550 Mw, NTPC has been virtually left with two hydel projects — 520 Mw Topovan Vishnugad and 171 Mw Lata Topovan — in the hill state where the hydropower sector has taken a beating mostly due to religious sentiments as well as environmental concerns.

The Centre recently refused to accord permission for the 261 Mw Khasiabara project in Pithoragarh district on environmental concerns. After that, it was the turn of the 600 Mw Loharinag Pala in Uttarkashi district to fall prey to religious sentiments.

The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) last month decided to close the project despite NTPC making a huge investment of over Rs 650 crore. Dr G D Agrawal, who was responsible for the scrapping of the 480 Mw Loharinag Pala and 381 Mw Bhaironghati projects, had been on fast demanding closure of Loharinag Pala project in order to maintain the free flow of Bhagirathi.

And now, NTPC has virtually been left with only one big project — 520 Mw Topovan Vishnugaad at Chamoli district where work is in progress. This project was recently at the centre of an environmental controversy related to its underground tunnel. Another project, the 171 Mw Lata Tapovan has not made any progress so far.

Unlike in Uttarakhand where NTPC had faced the ire of environmentalists and religious leaders, the company has not faced any rough patch in Himachal Pradesh where it is building the 800 Mw Koldam project.

“Uttarakhand may be a problematic state, but since the matter related to projects is a national priority, we will try our best to complete all those projects where we have already made commitments,” said an official of NTPC.

The official said the Centre is likely to compensate Rs 650 crore to the company in lieu of the closure of Loharinag Pala. However, the real challenge before the Centre is how to plug the 16 km long tunnel which has potential to become an environmental disaster.

“This tunnel must be filled and closed forever. Otherwise it can create havoc in the area,” added the official.