2023: People’s Protests Against Hydro & Dam Projects in India

December 14, 2023December 18, 2023 SANDRP1 Comment

(Feature Image: Joshimath locals take part in a protest rally against the NTPC project in landslide-hit Joshimath town of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. PTI Photo/Source: Financial Express)

This yearend overview compiles the ten remarkable reports on community led protests against dam and hydro power projects in India in 2023. The report also covers some important judicial and government decisions regarding dams related issues during the year. It further compiles some relevant reports which significantly highlight bleak future of hydro and dam projects due to persistent decline in power generation, rise in construction cost and corruption issues. The first part of the overview detailing on dams and hydro projects related disasters in 2023 can be seen here.

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Hydro Disaster

2022: Accidents & Damages related to Hydro projects in India

December 24, 2022December 30, 2022 SANDRPLeave a comment

In this annual review, SANDRP compiles the hydro power related accidents, disasters and damages in North West and North East Himalayan states during 2022. It also covers relevant reports revealing gradual decline in power generation by hydro power projects amid growing concerns over physical and financial viabilities of new projects. There are also reports highlighting the looming climatic and geological threats over these projects. It is good to see that taking lessons from Chamoli disaster in Feb. 2021, NDMA has officially asked central govt not to rely on hydro power.

In previous parts of yearend roundups, we have covered (1) Dam induced floods & damages, (2) Fly ash dam breach incidents, (3) Impact of floods on Polavaram project, (4) People’s resistance against dams and hydro projects. Please see links for reports tracking hydro power projects related accidents and disasters in 2021 and 2020.

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Open Letter to PM on Uttarakhand Hydro in Sept 2021

September 23, 2021September 24, 2021 SANDRP1 Comment

Open Letter to the Prime Minister, Minister of Environment and media on 09/09/2021:
Restarting seven under-construction hydro projects in Ganga Himalaya unjustified

Recently the MoEF&CC has recommended restarting the construction of seven under-construction HEPs in Uttarakhand namely Tehri II (1000 MW), Tapovan Vishnugad (520 MW), Vishnugad Pipalkoti (444 MW), Singoli Bhatwari (99 MW), Phata Byung (76 MW), Madhmaheshwar (15 MW), and Kaliganga II (4.5 MW). The news came as a shock to citizens, devotees and environmentalists who have been struggling since over a decade to preserve our national river Ganga and the Himalaya. The deeply felt concern over the fate of these two pivotal ecological systems and defining symbols of Indian culture, compel us to write this letter. Not the least, as a citizen, it is also our constitutional duty ‘to protect and improve India’s natural environment’.

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Dam Disaster · Uttarakhand

Force Multipliers in Uttarakhand disaster

February 26, 2021February 26, 2021 SANDRP4 Comments

Given below if the text of the presentation made by SANDRP coordinator on Day 1 at the FICCI-NIDM (NIDM: National Institute of Disaster Management; FICCI: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) 3-day training program on Feb 18-20, 2021 on “Resilient Infrastructure in Hilly Areas: Avalanche, GLOF & Debris Flow” in the context of the Chamoli Disaster of Feb 7, 2021.

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Dam Disaster · Landslide dam

Rishiganga Ground visit report reveals landslide dam & raises questions

February 12, 2021February 13, 2021 SANDRP2 Comments

The first ground visit report of the Rishiganga catchment in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district by Dr Naresh Rana, a geologist after the Chamoli Avalanche disaster of Feb 7, 2021 has been shared by NDTV on Feb 11, 2021 [i]. Dr Rana visited the catchment of the Rishiganga to understand the ground situation on Feb 10 ,2021 and this is possibly the first such visit since the disaster.

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