14 villages on China border revolt against hydro project

PITHORAGARH: Residents of Darma valley, comprising over 14 villages on the Indo-China border, have vowed to not support the proposed Bokang-Bailing hydroelectric project, fearing that they will face the same fate as that of people in subsidence-hit Joshimath. They said rampant infrastructure work in the seismically-fragile landscape of Pithoragarh would trigger land subsidence. Hence, they want the project shelved. "Darma valley is a fragile landscape which faced multiple disasters in the past. The hydel project, once built, will lead to submergence of land and hundreds will be displaced. In the wake of the Joshimath crisis, the government should reconsider this project," said Puran Gwal, a resident of Go village in Darma valley, located 35-40km from the China border. The proposed 165MW project is to be built by THDC on Dhauliganga river. It was planned in 2004. Local residents have been regularly raising their voice against its construction. The project may require a tunnel to be built which is "dangerous for the entire place", they pointed out. Jeewan Singh Marchhal, resident of Marchha village, said, "In Joshimath, the tunnel has disturbed the town. In our case, we live at a higher altitude than Joshimath" Pithoragarh DM Reena Joshi told TOI on Tuesday: "We have received a memorandum from villagers. There is nothing to be worried about. THDC is only conducting a survey for the project. Feasibility and other related matters will be decided later."