NGT seeks Centre's reply on plea against Jaypee

The National Green Tribunal today sought response of the Centre and Uttarakhand government on a plea alleging that villages along river Alaknanda were destroyed due to closing of Vishnuprayag hydroelectric project's reservoir gate and seeking damages from Jaypee Associates which manages the dam.
A bench headed by Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to Ministry of Environment and Forests, Uttarakhand and Jaypee Associates asking them to file their replies by November 20 on the plea, which also alleges that the destruction due to June floods was aggravated as the river's course was changed by the company to build a temple.

The order came on the plea of environmentalist Vimal Bhai who has contended that the debris got accumulated in the reservoir due to washing away of villages located along the river and this rubble is being illegally dumped in the river in violation of environmental norms.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Rahul Choudhary contended that without any permission for removal of debris, Jaypee Associates has been dumping it directly into Alaknanda which could result in endangering life and property downstream of the river.
Vimal Bhai in his petition has sought directions to Jaypee to stop dumping of rubble and muck in the river bed of Alaknanda or any other area which has not been designated for such purpose.

He has also sought directions to the company for removal of the "illegal" temple constructed on the river bed and to restore the area to its original position.
The petition also seeks that Jaypee be directed "to pay penalty and damages for doing harm to the environment and particularly Alaknanda river.