Himachal HC steps in as Kinnaur hydel projects spark safety fears

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh high court has taken suo motu cognisance of reports of environmental damage and threat to life and property in Meeru village of Kinnaur district due to multiple hydroelectric projects.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi registered a PIL based on a representation received at the Chief Justice's secretariat, highlighting ecological degradation and risk to local residents due to the projects.According to the representation, the project initially proposed laying pipelines on the surface, but the executing agencies shifted to underground installation. This change allegedly led to large-scale dumping of debris and muck on hill slopes and downstream areas, adversely affecting forest land and increasing the risk of landslides and environmental instability.The bench also took note of an earlier order in a writ petition involving M/s Roura Non-Conventional Energy Pvt Ltd of Baddi, Solan district, which had sought directions for the smooth execution of the 20-megawatt Roura-II hydroelectric project. Meeru gram panchayat and local residents initially resisted the project but later gave an undertaking before high court not to obstruct it, following which the petition was disposed of.Observing that the representation was submitted by a person from a remote area who may not be able to easily approach the court, HC deemed it appropriate to intervene. Notices have been issued to state govt, the deputy commissioner and deputy conservator of forests, Kinnaur, state pollution control board, and pradhan of Meeru, directing them to file their responses by June 17.