Scores of pro-dam activists on Monday observed a day-long fast alleging that stalled hydro-power projects on Ganga river have “diminished hope of electrification and snatched employment opportunities” in their area.
They demanded that the Uttarakhand Legislature pass a resolution seeking their revival. Two Padama Shri awardees along with the activists and locals threatened to go on fast-unto-death, demanding revival of at least 10 near-completed hydel projects. They want work on the 330 MW Alaknanda and 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti projects to begin again.
Work on these sites has been suspended for several months on environmental grounds.
“We have given our land for the construction of a powerhouse of Vishugad-Pipalkoti project but due to its suspension we are still awaiting to get our compensation,” said Jagdamba Prasad Hatwal, a resident of Hat village.
“We have requested the state government to get a resolution passed in the Assembly on May 28 asking the Centre to revive the stalled hydel projects and if they fail to do so by then, we will be forced to sit on fast-unto-death from May 28,” said Kaushal, head Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra.
The protest took place outside the Gandhi Park here. Kaushal said the activists would also met the Assembly Speaker G S Kunjwal in this regard.
On the other hand noted environmentalist and retired IIT professor G D Agrawal, went on fast seeking closure of major hydel projects on the river Bhagirathi on environmental and religious grounds. The environmentalists in the area fear that construction of such projects would obliterate the river.