{DUU-38} EC of Kotlibhel projects challanged in NEAA 26-10-07

Environment Clearances of Kotli-Bhel HEPs challenged in NEAA

In the month of September, 2007 the Environment clearances of all three Kotli-Bhel Hydro Electric Projects phase 1 A, 1B and phase 2 have been challenged in National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA). National Hydro Development Corporation is the project proponent of all these HEPs proposed in Uttarakhand. Although the past experience of other different cases filed in the NEAA is not so good but even then we gained something and made at least some pressure on the authorities. Most of you got the report of fake public hearings held for all these projects sent by us.

RITWICK DUTTA, RAHUL CHOUDHARY and PRIYABRATA SATAPATHY of Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment are the advocates for the appellants.

Appellants of the appeal are:-
Kotli-Bhel HEP phase 1 A

1. Vimalbhai of MATU PEOPLES’ ORGANISATION

2. Rajendra Singh Negi of Gram Gorathi Khand

3. Trilok Singh Rawat of Village Nigar

Kotli-Bhel HEP phase 1 B

1. DR. BHARAT JHUNJHUNWALA of village LAKSHMOLI

2. VIMAL BHAI of MATU PEOPLES’ ORGANISATION

3. DEVKI DEVI of GRAM MALETHA

4. SUNDER SINGH NEGI of GRAM DIGOLI

Kotli-Bhel HEP phase 2

1. VIMAL BHAI of MATU PEOPLES’ ORGANISATION

2. GOVIND PRASAD of GRAM -SILSU

3. SAROJ RAWAT of GRAM NAUGOUN,

Mainly these are the prayers

• Immediately stay the clearance granted to the project.
• Stay on ongoing land acquisition process.
• Stay on ongoing construction work till a fresh and complete Environment Impact Assessment of the

project is undertaken.

• A proper EIA be done taking into account the all factors so that complete information is provided about

the nature of impacts due to the project and only after mitigative measures are taken should the clearance

to the project be considered.

• Public hearing conducted pervious be declared null and void and a proper public hearing be conducted

after following all the prescribed procedures and specifically directing that all required information and

documents be made available in local language (Hindi) at all the designated places.

Kotli-Bhel Hydro Power Project some information

Heads	Kotali-Bhel-1 Part A	Kotali-Bhel-I Part B	Kotli-Bhel-II HEP
River	Bhagirathi	Alaknanda	Ganga
Place	5 K.M. above Devprayag	2and ½ K. M. above Devprayag	30 K.M. down from Devprayag
Height of the Dam in Meters from the foundation	75-6	90	82
Length of the reservoir	18-4 K.M.	27-5 K.M.	29 K.M.
Land submerge	217-269 Hq.	502-347 Hq.	606-142 Hq.
Production Proposed	195	320	530
Environment Clearance	9-5-2007

Devprayag is the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda River. Only after this River name is Ganga.