Bengal to take up hydel power project issues with the Centre

Observing that setting up one hydel project after another without much thought would hinder the natural river flow, the West Bengal government has taken up the issue with the Centre for consulting the state before setting up any such project.
"Out of four hydel projects in state, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) had consulted the state government in one case, while the rest three were set up on their own," state's Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee said here today.
Stating that government had information NHPC would set up ten more such projects in the state, the minister said this would hinder natural flow of water and release of water during monsoon when the dam would be full resulting in flood in the low lying areas.

"We have already written to the Union Power Minister and Union Water Resources Minister airing our concern and take appropriate steps to prevent such projects without consulting the state government," Banerjee said.
"The issue has also been brought to the notice of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," the minister said.
Meanwhile, his department has already started taking measures to prevent floods with the breach of river embankments during the monsoon, the minister said.