Uttarakhand to set sold hydro projects' tariffs, says Khanduri

Amid opposition to the government's move to privatise the hydel projects that have crossed 35 years of age, Khanduri said the decision had been taken in the best interests of the state. "For more power, we must privatise," said Khanduri.

Khanduri's comment came two days after the government, in a major policy decision, decided to invite private players to renovate all its old hydel projects.

Nearly 18 hydel projects that are 35-year-old and six others that are lying closed in the hill state are being given to private companies. The total capacity of all these projects is 500 Mw. In the first step, three to five hydel projects will be privatised.

The decision was taken after the government last month suspended the construction of two of its major hydel projects, 480 Mw Pala Maneri and 400 Mw Bharion Ghati.

All the 24 hydel projects will be given to private companies on public-private partnership on 30 years' lease.

The government will shortly invite expression of interests in this regard.

All these projects were being run by the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL), whose two projects were stalled because of the protest by environmentalist G D Agrawal.

Meanwhile, the Congress has opposed the privatisation move saying it was not in the interests of the hill state.