Two power projects — the Dhauli Ganga Intermediary Power Project of 210 mw and the Gori Ganga Power Project of 120 mw generation capacity — being carried out by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) in Pithoragarh, have failed to move forward from the investigatory stage over the past two years merely because the State Government has not yet granted clearance.
This despite clearance received from the Supreme Court, as the officials concerned of the NHPC Pithoragarh, on the condition of anonymity, informed. Reminders are being sent to the State Government from time to time, but to no avail. We can only hope that the much-awaited clearance would come soon, maintained the officials concerned of the NHPC, Pithoragarh.
Mention worthy, there are many such hydro power projects proposed to be carried out in the Pithoragarh district, keeping in view the huge natural resources potential loaded in the rivers originating from the Himalayas like Mahakali, Gori and Dhauli in the border district.
Earlier, it was the musk deer park issue in Askot along with other environmental matters that kept proving spoilsport for the power projects.
With the settlement of the musk deer park matter in Askot, the State Government is proving the stumbling block in the process of the power generation potential of the State being adequately tapped.
Interestingly, it is a win-win situation for any State Government if a Central power generating agency like the NHPC runs a power project in the State. As per the rule, the State gets 13 per cent electricity as royalty from the power project being run by any Central Government agency.
More so, if the power projects are allowed to move without any hindrance they will also help generate employment at local level and more importantly, boost economy as well, as the energy experts here maintain.
Meanwhile, with the State Government now hinting at taking some tough decisions in the larger interests of the people of Uttarakhand, this is high time for the Uttarakhand Government that perforce purchases electricity from outside to meet its growing power needs, to put the power sector on the top of its priority list.