Work on L&T's Singoli-Bhatwari hydel project stopped

Construction work on the 99-MW Singoli-Bhatwari hydel project, being developed by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand with an investment of Rs 600 crore, has come to a halt, official sources today said.    

The work on the project was stopped last week by the state government on the ground that the company is yet to sign an implementation agreement with the government, they said.     

Earlier, the work at the Singoli-Bhatwari project, being built on Mandakini river, had resumed early this month after remaining suspended for several months due to an agitation by the local residents.     

The local people were seeking compensation in lieu of the damage to their houses and other properties due to the construction of underground tunnels.     

It was after the intervention of Rudraprayag District Magistrate Dilip Jawalkar that the company officials promised to the local residents for giving compensation in case of loss of life or property.

In this regard, an agreement was also signed between the company and local administration.      

Singoli-Bhatwari is the first hydel project in Uttarakhand which is being developed by Larsen and Toubro.