Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh convened a meeting of monitoring committee of Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive zone in Dehradun on Saturday. In course of the meeting, he instructed the experts and the committee members to make physical inspection of the sites and make zonal master plans better and practical as well. He also discussed the points which came up from different departments on master plan.
It is learnt that the forest department had unfolded the Gangotri National Park’s management plan. Besides, the division work plan has been included in zonal master plan. To strengthen van panchayat, micro plans have been firmed up.
Singh asked the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (UJVNl) to make sure the flow of water in Bhagirathi. He stressed on the officers discussing things with the local inhabitants. During the meeting, the officials said that Asi Ganga Hydro Power Project had washed away in disaster. CS said they would prepare design for its reconstruction. There is no ban on 2MW hydro power projects, he added.
Committee also said that the National Highway was being widened between Dharasu and Gangotri as per the guidelines mentioned in notification of Eco Sensitive Zone.
It is learnt that 26 dumping zones have been identified to be developed. Sukhi top and Natala bypass will also be built up to lessen the travel distance. CS pointed out that under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), four projects are yet to be executed.
PWD has been asked to construct dumping sites, save sources and treat landslide- prone areas. Agriculture department has been asked to make arrangements to save crops from wild life and work on land and water conservation as well.
Among those present at the meeting were member Ravi Chopra, Monika Bhanot, principal secretary power, Umakant Panwar, Secretary PWD, DS Garbyal, DM Uttarkashi, Sreedhan Babu Adyanki and Additional Secretary forest aside from Meenakshi Joshi and Ranjit Sinha.