NGT
directs Jaypee Associates to file a comprehensive affidavit on
disposal of river bed material : Issues notice to Border Road
Organisation
JPWL
continues releasing flood material in River Alaknanda
In
its twelfth order dated 30th May 2014, the five judge bench of the
National Green Tribunal headed by the Hon'ble Chairperson, Justice
Swatantar Kumar directed Jaypee Associates to file a comprehensive
affidavit on disposal of river bed material lying in the Vishnupryag
HEP on Alakhnanda River, Joshimath, Uttarakhand in the matter of
Vimalbhai vs. Japee Associates. This case was filed by Vimalbhai,
founder of Matu Jansangthan against Jaypee Associates, the project
proponent of Vishnupryag HEP with the help and assistance of the
villagers living downstream of Vishnupryag HEP. The owners of
Vishnupryag HEP (400 MW), Jaiprakash Power Venture Ltd. {JPVL} is one
of the company responsible for the destruction faced by the
downstream villages in June 2013 calamity. The following reliefs have
been sought by the NGT in this matter:
- Direction to the project proponent to stop the dumping of muck and debris on the river bed or any other area not designated for such dumping
- Direction to the project respondent to first do the impact assessment and prepare proper plan for removal of muck and debris.
- Direction to the Respondent to remove the muck and debris dump on the river bed area and restore the river bed of Alaknanda.
- Direction to the Respondent to remove the illegal temple constructed on the river bed and restore the area to its original position.Direction to the project proponent Respondent No.1 to pay damages and penalty for doing harm and damage to the environment and paricularly to the Alakhnanda river.
On
16th –17th June 2013 the massive flood in
Uttarakhand washed away various properties in Lambagarh,
Pandukeshwar, Govindghat, Vinayak Chatty, Pinolaghat villages and
areas downstream. This destruction happened because of the closure of
the gates by the project proponent at the time of floods. This also
resulted in accumulation of huge amount of Muck and Debris in the
Reservoir of the dam. JPVL itself accepted in its reply of the NGT
case that only two gates were opened but one gate was not opened due
to some technical fault.
After
the incident, in order to clean the reservoir, the project proponent
started removing the flood material from the reservoir and dumped the
Muck and Debris directly into the river bed of Alaknanda river. The
said activity was not only in violation of the environmental norms
but also caused damage to the life and property of the people in the
downstream. It is known that if the river has changed its natural
course during the flood or otherwise, the river loses its course and
is more likely to flow from the changed course only. This may lead to
another huge calamity in the coming future.
Since
no action was initiated against the illegal dumping of debris in the
river bed, Matu Jansangthan wrote a letter to the Ministry of
Environment and Forests. Subsequently the case was filed in the NGT.
Only after the initiation of the case in the month of October 2013
and different orders passed by NGT, the district administration of
Chamoli became active and made a plan according to dam builder.
((cant understand this line)During the case Matu Jansangthan tried to
keep an eye on the river siltation and constantly produced pictures
and other documents in order to show violation of environmental
norms. Many things can be seen Matu on website matuganga.in
The recent report
filed by applicant in the case presents the current scenario of the
area, the report states:
" It is very
much clear that from the barrage site of Vishnuprayag HEP, there is
hardly any area of river which has been cleaned or the minimum
ecological flow is maintained. The way muck or river bed materials
are left dumped on the river bed, it is obvious that the different
authorities including dam proponent are unable to dispose of the huge
muck and waiting for the monsoon and the river to take away the muck
with it. This is bound to affect the downstream ecology of river.
With such unplanned dumping of so much muck and debris, the future of
the river is uncertain.Though the muck is removed from the barrage
site to resume the electricity production, but the muck deposited in
the upstream is bound to flow downstream with rain in next season.
And it is anticipated that during rainy season, the muck will be
slowly carried out by river. Therefore, proper management plan of
removing the muck is very much necessary keeping in mind its
environmental impact. And this has to be done before monsoon, hence
immediate action is required" (full report can be seen on our
blog matuganga.blogspot.in)
On 17th June, 2014
again flood material entered into turbines from dam reservior and
production stopped. Dam authorities opened the gate and debris was
pushed in the river with water pressure. This is what we were
expecting. Next date of NGT case is 17th July, 2014. We have shown
photos of the area above the dam which is full of debris. We had a
feeling that dam authorities will use monsoon for clearing the debris
from the dam reservoir. That is what they are doing now. Before the
next hearing in NGT most of the debris will be cleared from the
reservior. No central or state agency is monitoring this act of the
Vishnuprayag dam authorities.
All the orders of
NGT can be seen on
After
the June calamity 2013 massive muck and debris flooded in the
Alaknanda and its tributaries. In Bhagirathi also the flood material
got accumulated in Tehri dam reservior. This will lead to greater
losses.
In
solidarity
Alok
Panwar, Vimalbhai
