The Navratna companies of the country had opened their offices in Uttarakhand with the hope that due to the hydro power projects hanging in the balance, now they have to be locked. Investments worth thousands of crores of rupees have been stuck and there is no hope of the projects getting off the ground. Now migration is their last option. SJVNL and NHPC have closed their offices in Uttarakhand. NTPC is also on the same path.
SJVNL exodus
SJVNL Limited had bagged three projects in the state. Of these, 60 MW Natwad Mori project at Tons in Uttarkashi has recently been commissioned after completion. Secondly, the 51 MW Jakhol Sankari project to be built on Tons in Uttarkashi and the 252 MW Devsari Dam project to be built on Pindar, a tributary of Alaknanda in Chamoli, are hanging in the balance. Seeing no hope, the company has closed its regional office from Dehradun. Whatever offices were there, they have been sold.
NTPC’s projects worth crores in limbo
NTPC is working on 400 MW Koteshwar HPP and 1000 MW Pumped Storage Project in joint venture with THDC. NTPC’s 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad project is in limbo. Crores of rupees have been spent on this. 171 MW Lata Tapovan is stuck in the Jal Shakti Ministry’s hurdles after getting relief from the Supreme Court. NTPC’s 260 MW Rusiabagad Khasiabada to be built on Gauri Ganga is in limbo. NTPC could not succeed after spending Rs 1000 crore on the 600 MW Lohari Nagpala project. The company has shifted all its head offices from Uttarakhand.
NHPC also migrated
NHPC’s 94.2 MW Tanakpur and 280 MW Dhauliganga-1 projects are being operated in the state. The survey work of the 630 MW Garba Tawaghat project to be built on the Sharda River in Pithoragarh has not been completed. The proposed 120 MW Gauriganga-3A on Gauriganga, the proposed 210 MW Dhauliganga Intermediate Stage on Dhauliganga in Pithoragarh, the proposed 55 MW Karmoli Lumti Talli on Gauriganga and the proposed 240 MW Chungar Chal project on Dhauliganga could not move ahead. The company has collected its bedding bags from the state.
Government’s efforts continue
The efforts of Dhami government are continuing. A request was made for the construction of 21 hydro power projects of 2123.6 MW capacity in the state, but at present the Jal Shakti Ministry has created hurdles. PMO has to take a decision on this. Most of the projects are stuck due to environmental reasons.
