need of Infrastructure development in the Himalayan region face the environmental and ecological challenges that they present. The Uttarakhand government has for decades envisaged hydroelectric projects to go ahead to power the state based on the region’s undulating topography. However, the increasing frequency of intense rains is contributing to landslides, avalanches and loss of life and property. All these have an impact on hydroelectric projects located in areas prone to environmental shocks. after the devastating Kedarnath floods of 2013The Supreme Court ordered a halt to hydroelectric projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins, pending a review on whether they have aggravated the damage. The issue has seen considerable friction over the years, particularly because the future of hydroelectric projects is closely tied to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programme. For the health of the river, it must be allowed to flow freely, and Hydroelectric projects are a hindrance. A committee of experts recommended to the court that almost all hydroelectric projects sanctioned by the government for construction be scrapped. Supporters of six of these projects approached the court on the ground that they had obtained prior approval and cancellation of the projects would result in significant losses. Since then, the center has been trying to walk a fine line between salvaging some of them while acknowledging the environmental costs, at least on paper.
There have also been divisions within various central ministries: the Ministry of Water Resources, which manages the NMCG, opposes hydroelectric projects while the Ministry of Power takes root for them. Over the years, whenever one group of experts has recommended a cessation of infrastructure development, there has always been another group of experts, usually affiliated with government institutions, that differed and recommended the opposite. Is. The avalanche in Chamoli this February, which destroyed two power projects and killed at least 200, was only the latest reminder of the horrific risks that committees and their struggles are insufficiently responsible for. The Center has been saying that it is not very keen on new hydroelectric projects and is allowing only those projects which are at least 50% complete, to go ahead in view of the sunk costs. While such statements have been made in Parliament, they are not included in the Court’s latest affidavit; So there are concerns about whether this is really a sustainable policy commitment. Uttarakhand, like all other states, is not untouched by the demand for reliable electricity and infrastructure from its people. Along with better communication, the power companies and the Center should inspire greater confidence among the residents of the area: infrastructure development must essentially account for the constraints of the area.
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