Ukd govt asks Centre to reconsider notification on power proj

Uttarakhand government will ask the Centre to reconsider its notification declaring 100 km stretch from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi on either side of the Bhagirathi river as eco sensitive, saying the decision will have an adverse effect on the state's economy.
Reviewing the notification at a meeting here today, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain said there is a difference between the draft notification and the final one issued by the Centre on identifying the area as eco sensitive zone.
Final notification covers a much wider area as eco-sensitive, which will stall many hydel pojects worth Rs 200 crore with an installed capacity of 1,743 MW, he said.

The draft notification had banned construction of hydel power projects of over 25 MW, whereas the final one puts a ban on construction of even projects with a capacity beyond 2 MW.
Different departments have been asked to submit reports on the effect, the notification will have on projects located in the area, an official release said.