Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Urges Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav for Environmental Clearance of Key Hydroelectric Projects

Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday met Union Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Shri Bhupendra Yadav and urged for approval of the desired environmental clearance and transfer of forest land for the Tyuni-Plasu Hydroelectric Project as well as the Rupasiabagd Hydroelectric Project.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change that Uttarakhand has to purchase electricity from other states and the central pool for its electrical energy requirements. Construction of new environment-friendly hydroelectric projects is necessary for proper arrangement of power supply and to meet the increasing needs of the state. This will provide employment opportunities to the local people and will greatly help in the socio-economic development of the region and the problem of migration of the state can also be controlled.

The Chief Minister has sought approval for the construction of 47.547 hectares of land required for the construction of the proposed 72 MW capacity Tyuni-Plasu Hydroelectric Project on Tons, a tributary of the Yamuna River in the state of Uttarakhand. Requesting for early approval of transfer of forest land and revenue land (barren land), he said that since the proposed projects on Ganga river in Uttarakhand state have not been approved, it is absolutely necessary to construct new power projects on Yamuna river and Gauriganga, Dhauliganga rivers in Kumaon region.

The Chief Minister informed that Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiyabagd Hydroelectric Project is the first project proposed on Gauriganga river. Requesting for early approval of the proposal for transfer of 29.997 hectares of forest land and environmental clearance required for this 120 MW capacity project, the Chief Minister said that considering the strategic importance and national interest, it would be beneficial to construct these hydroelectric projects of the state.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change to approve the proposal for ropeway development from Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in the meeting of the National Wildlife Board. He said that this scheme will help in the development of religious tourism in the region and reducing the increasing traffic pressure as well as strengthening the local economy.

The Chief Minister also requested the Central Government for cooperation for the revival of Chaurasi Kutiya (Beatles Ashram), saying that this will further strengthen Rishikesh as a yoga and tourism hub at the global level. In view of the seriousness of the increasing incidents of forest fire in the state of Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister also requested for special assistance of Rs 404 crore under the five-year plan of forest fire management under the CAMPA scheme. The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister of all possible cooperation on all proposals.

Principal Secretary Shri R.K. Sudhanshu, Shri R. Meenakshi Sundaram and Resident Commissioner Shri Ajay Mishra were present on this occasion.

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