Sacredness of Ganga to be maintained, says Nishank

Apparently opposing hydel projects on Bhagirathi river, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh P Nishank today stressed that “sacredness and incessant” flow of the Ganga would be maintained at all cost while harnessing the water resources for generating hydropower.

This is being interpreted by experts as Nishank’s move to maintain a status quo on the three suspended projects, even as the Centre asked the environment and forest ministry to study these projects and submit the report within 60 days.

While NTPC’s Lohari Nagpala which is being built in Uttarkashi district with an investment of Rs 2,500-3,000 crore, was at a very advanced stage, the state-run Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) had also done considerable work on Pala Maneri and Bhaironghati. NTPC had already invested Rs 550 crore in the Lohari Nagpala project and UJVNL Rs 100 crore in the Pala Maneri project.Speaking at the first meeting of the Ganga River Basin Authority (GRBA) at New Delhi, which was presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Nishank also said a Ganga research institute would be set up in the hill state with a view to preserving cultural heritage.

Besides, a Ganga Museum would be also established for the purpose of displaying various aspects of the Ganga to the pilgrims and tourists, an official statement quoted Nishank as saying.

Nishank also demanded a special grant of Rs.10,000 crore per year from the Centre for the development of the hill state. Apart from this, he also demanded 1,000 Mw electricity from the Centre free of cost.

Nishank’s comments were immediately welcomed by environmentalists who are opposing hydel projects on thye Bhagirathi. On the other hand, Avadhash Kaushal, whose Dehra Dun-based NGO RLEK, is for immediate resumption of the project, criticised Nishank for opposing hydel projects on Bhagirathi.

In May, the Uttarakhand HC entrusted the responsibility of these projects to the GRBA which was set up early this year by the PM.