CM meets Shankaracharya, seeks coop on hydro-power projects

Bahuguna, who was accompanied by his wife Sudha, said he had always respected the sentiments of saint community and asked them to come forward for construction of hydro-power projects.

Noting that the state was reeling under power shortage, the Chief Minister said Uttarakhand is purchasing power from Himachal Pradesh to fill the gap between requirement and supply.

He said power was needed for industrial development and the hydro-power projects in which crores of rupees had been spent so far should not be stalled. In this regard, he hoped that the saint community and Prime Minister would take a decision in the interest of common people.

He asserted that there would be no change in the course of river flow due to such projects. "We have to maintain a balance among faith, development and environment," he said.

Bahuguna said there was no confrontation with the saint community. " They (Saints) are putting their point of view and we are trying to convince them with our point of view. I hope that we would be able to find a solution," he said.