Implementation of hydro power projects in different parts of Uttarakhand continues to present examples of blatant violation of environmental regulations at the cost of the environment.
A company working on the 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad project in Chamoli district is operating a crusher plant on the banks of the Dhauliganga river and also dumping waste water in the river itself in violation of regulations.
Rithwik Projects Private limited is operating a crusher plant on the banks of the Dhauliganga river. The water used in the plant is being drained into the river contaminating it.
Tapovan resident Subhash Thapliyal had sought information related to the stone crusher under the Right to Information Act and had received information in reply to some of his queries.
As per the information provided under RTI, a 15-foot high boundary wall to be constructed around the stone crusher plant. Such a plant should be located 100 metres from the river and should also be away from inhabited areas.
The crusher on the banks of Dhauliganga flouts these regulations with no boundary wall and proximity to the river and inhabited area.
Children attending a school located near the crusher are also experiencing the detrimental effects of the plant.
Professor SP Sati, of Garhwal Central University’s Geology department stated that the dust from a crusher was quite harmful to humans, which was why such plants were established away from inhabited areas.
Chamoli district magistrate Ashok Kumar said the case had not been brought to his notice earlier.
“We will check the crusher and take stringent action if environmental regulations are violated,” said the DM.
It may be recalled that the Rithwik company has also been penalised in the past by the Forest Department for dumping debris in the Dhauliganga river but this has not stopped the company from violating regulations.