Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding leakage from the power plant channel of Srinagar Hydroelectric Project, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 06/09/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Uttam Singh Bhandari Vs State of Uttarakhand & Others dated 06/09/2019 regarding leakage from the power plant channel of Srinagar Hydroelectric Project and to ensure safety of the lives of the residents of Villages Mangsu, Surasu, Naur Thaapli in Tehri Garhwal District Uttarakhand.
According to the applicant, Srinagar Hydroelectric Project is located on the bank of river Alaknanda in Uttarakhand and has set up a channel which is 4 kms long to carry water from the river Alaknanda to the power house to generate electricity. In the year 2015, there was a serious breach in the canal causing damage to the crops and the houses. An enquiry was held and report submitted by Wadia Institute on 30.12.2015 recommending re-strengthening of the power channel and investigation of the structural design. However, in absence of requisite action, serious breach again took place in December 2018.
Vide order dated 23.05.2019, a report was sought from a joint Committee comprising representatives of the Department of Power and Energy, State of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and the District Magistrate, Tehri Garhwal. Accordingly, a report has been filed on 09.07.2019. Some of the major findings of the report are the following:
1. During the inspection, water leakage was observed from underground channel at Village Supada, however, there was no human settlement.
2. During the inspection, Shri Lakhpat Singh, Gram Pradhan of village Supada informed that water leakage from channel at said area is from long time.
3. Village Magasu is located below the open water channel, therefore, in case of leakage and/ or release of excess water from barrage may have adverse impact on village. It was informed by the villagers Magasu that during the year 2018 leakage from water channel were observed several times, which caused loss of agriculture land and other properties. Leakage from water channel was not observed during inspection.
4. Mahant Shri Sukhdev Suri of Kilkilikhar Mandir of village Naur informed that leakage were from underground channel makes this area prone to adversity. It was also informed that due to leakage of water from channel, villagers demanded for resettlement elsewhere. In view of above,
NGT directs the Alaknanda Hydro Power Corporation Ltd. to ensure further action at the earliest in a time bound manner which may be overseen by the Committee which has furnished the report to be coordinated by the SPCB.