MoEF conveys serious concern, grants last opportunity
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 30: In a testimony of non-serious approach towards tapping available potential for construction of hydroelectric projects, the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) has failed to prepare Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan report in respect of 390 Mega Watt Kirthai Stage-I and 930 Mega Watt Kirthai Stage-II in Kishtwar district during the past four years.
The dilly-dallying approach has received sharp criticism from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest’s Expert Appraisal Committee, which while granting final opportunity, has made it clear that in case of further non-compliance to the mandatory exercise the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation will have to apply afresh for scoping clearance.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that JKSPDC has proposed to construct 122 meter high concrete gravity dam across Chenab river near Gulabgarh village in Kishtwar district to install 390 MW hydroelectric project (Kirthai Stage-I). Similarly, it has proposed to construct 121 meter high concrete gravity dam from river bed (165 meter from the deepest foundation level) across Chenab river to install 930 MW hydroelectric project (Kirthai Stage-II).
The scoping clearance to Kirthai Stage-I was accorded by the Expert Appraisal Committee for Hydroelectric Project of Union Ministry of Environment and Forest on June 10, 2013 for a period of two years while as the same in respect of Kirthai Stage-II was accorded on June 5, 2013 also for a period of two years. Though the two year period in respect of both the stages expired in June 2015 yet JKSPDC failed to complete the mandatory exercise of preparation of Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan report.
“What to talk of completion of this mandatory exercise by June 2015 the JKSPDC even continued soft-paddling approach till June 2017 on the pretext that validity of scoping clearance for river valley and hydroelectric projects is four years”, sources said, adding “in the recent past the JKSPDC moved applications before the Expert Appraisal Committee of Union Ministry seeking extension of one more year for submission of EIA and EMP report on the ground that there exists a provision in this regard”.
Keeping in view this provision, the Expert Appraisal Committee in its meeting held few days back granted last and final opportunity for submission of EIA/EMP report in respect of Kirthai Stage-I as well as Kirthai Stage-II by extending the validity of scoping clearance for one more year from June 2017 to June 2018.
“However, the Expert Appraisal Committee has made it clear that in case the JKSPDC fails to submit the Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan report within the extended period, the project proponent (JKSPDC) will have to apply afresh for scoping clearance”, sources informed, adding “the Expert Appraisal Committee has conveyed serious concern to JKSPDC over the dilly-dallying approach in completion of this mandatory exercise despite lapse of four years”.
According to the sources, the draft EIA/EMP report was submitted to Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board by JKSPDC on April 7, 2017 but till date no date for public hearing has been fixed. “Generally, completion of public hearing process on draft EIA/EMP report takes 5 to 6 months and if dilly-dallying approach is not brought to an end immediately there are grim chances of completion of mandatory exercise within the period of final opportunity”, they added.
“It is a matter of serious concern that on one side the Government is coming up with statements after regular intervals mentioning that enough focus is being laid on making J&K self-reliant in power sector and on the other side such a dilly-dallying approach is being adopted towards vital exercise without which no progress can be made towards construction of project”, sources remarked.
It is pertinent to mention here that total land requirement for Kirthai Stage-I is about 290 hectares out of which 160 hectares is forestland, 50 hectares is private land and 80 hectares is revenue land. Total submergence is 210 hectares, out of which 160 hectares is forestland. The estimated cost of Stage-I has been worked out at Rs 3126.59 crore.
Similarly, total land requirement for Kirthai Stage-II is 416.25 hectares, out of which 227.25 hectare is forestland, 149 hectare is private land and 40 hectare is Government land. Total submergence is 331 hectares, out of which 155 hectares is forestland. The estimated cost of Stage-II is Rs 6087.48 crore.
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