In what comes as a blow to many environmentalists, activists and members of the religious fraternity, the Supreme Court has given the go-ahead for the uplift of the Dhari Devi temple by the Alaknanda Hydro Power Company ltd (AHPCl).
On May 10, the Ministry of Environment and Forests had written to the company directing it to stop work on the uplift till the Supreme Court issues orders on the case. The company will now begin the task after receiving the orders of the Supreme Court.
The dam of the Alaknanda hydro power project has been completed and in the rainy season, there is possibility the Dhari Devi temple site being submerged like last year which can destroy the shrine if the uplifting of the temple is not completed before the rainy season.
The company CEO Santosh Reddy told The Pioneer that he would be in a position to say something after seeing the Supreme Court order which has not been received yet.
Pauri District Magistrate Chandresh Kumar along with Superintendent of Police Vimla Gunjyal and SDM Srinagar Tehsil Raza Abbas visited the temple and talked with the temple committee regarding the safety of the idol of the goddess.
The temple committee members said that there is no safety wall around the shrine which could be damaged by flooding in the rainy season. There is no option except shifting the idol of Dhari Devi and other idols. Kumar said that the temple committee can shift the idol anywhere on their discretion for the safety of the idol, but it should be open for devotees and the approach road should be maintained. Both the supporters and opponents of the power project also gave their consent to shifting of the idol.
Now with the Supreme Court allowing the uplifting of the shrine, it remains to be seen as to how soon the company can finish the task. The district administration has asked the company to complete the new road for the purpose of the Char Dham Yatra, so it can be used in case the two km stretch of the National Highway is submerged in the rainy season or by the dam reservoir water.