Thread by @nivedita_Him

One more #hydropowerproject proposed in the #Himalayas in #HimachalPradesh

The 210 MW Luhri Stage-I Hydro Electric Project located on river #Satluj #IndusBasin

1/n

On Nov 4, 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the investment of Rs 1810.56 crore for this #hydropowerproject in Shimla & Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. It will generate 758.20 million units of electricity per year.
#Himalayas
2/n

This project is being implemented by the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) on Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) basis with active support from Government of India and State Government.
#hydrpowerproject #Himalayas

*Pl note the word BOOM

3/n

Government is so confident about this that in a press release it has claimed, the Project "shall be commissioned within a span of 62 months."

Power generated from the Project will help in providing Grid stability and will improve the power supply position.

#hydropower
4/n

This is what the government always claims. And now some more:
Besides adding valuable renewable energy to the Grid, it would also lead to reduction of 6.1 lakh Tons of carbon dioxide from environment annually, thus contributing to improvement in air quality.
#hydropower

5/n

The MoU of this project was signed on November 7, 2019. GoI is also supporting this project by providing grants of Rs. 66.19 crore for enabling infrastructure which has helped in reducing in power tariff, the PIB release said.

#hydropower #Himalayas

6/n

"The construction activities of the project will result in direct & indirect employment to around 2000 persons and will contribute to overall socio-economic development of the State."

Again the government claims.

#hydropower #Himalayas

7/n

Further, Himachal Pradesh will benefit with free power worth around Rs. 1140 crore from Luhri Stage-I Hydro Electric Project, during Project Life Cycle of 40 years.

40 years, point to be noted.

#Hydropower #Himalayas

8/n

The Project Affected Families (PAFs) will be provided with 100 units of free electricity per month for ten years. (10 years, against the project life cycle of 40 years).

Now. Read on for what the govt release does not tell us.

9/n

"The length of the reservoir will be six kilometres. Free flow space between tail race end of the Rampur hydropower project and the lip of the reservoir of Luhri HEP stage I is just 1 kms.

BOOM !!!

EIA has lots and lots of details ... read it here:

environmentclearance.nic.in/DownloadPfdFil…

#hydropower #Himalayas

11/n

In all this. One thing that stands out for me. Just the 40 year life span of the project (on record, really how much we don't know, won't know as yet). And, two. The actual population that would be affected is comparatively very less (as per the EIA).

#hydropower

12/n

But that population already live in a precarious condition. Then, their power consumption is already so less. And yet. They are made to sacrifice along with damming the river yet again (a cascade of 3 RoR projects as @ManshiAsher reminded).

Why? Who really needs it?

n/last