SC irked over delay in deciding 'viability' of hydro projects

The Supreme Court today came down on the Centre for delay in deciding environmental "viability" and "sustainability" of six hydroelectric power projects to be set up on Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins in Uttarakhand.
"We would have moved much faster. The court does not intend to sit over the matters. Actually, we are not able to commence the hearing as they (Centre) have not been able to tell us about their view on viability and sustainability of the projects," a bench of justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit said.
Additional Solicitor General P S Narasimha, appearing for Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), said the Centre would be referring the cases of six project proponents, namely, NTPC, NHPC, THDC, GMR and two projects of Super Hydra to an expert panel and sought six months time for the purpose.

The court, however, asked the MoEF to inform about the steps taken in this regard by July 23 and the fixed the matter for hearing on July 29.
Earlier, Uttarakhand and some of PSUs had alleged that this Court had stayed 24 projects but the Union of India was "not granting any clearance even to the projects which are not covered within these 24."
Prior to this, the court had asked the MoEF to file a "comprehensive" environment and ecological impact report of 18, out of total 24 hydroelectric power projects, to be set up on Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins in Uttarakhand.

The apex court had by its August 13, 2013 verdict expressed concern over the natural disaster in Uttarakhand that year and prohibited setting up of any new hydroelectric power project in the state till further orders.