Green nod validity extension sought for Ratle hydro project, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• RHPCL seeks environmental clearance (EC) extension for the 850MW Ratle hydroelectric project on the Chenab river in J&K's Kishtwar district.
• Delays between 2016 and 2021 were due to litigation and the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The Union Environment Ministry's EAC will consider the request on January 9.
• Union Power Minister Manohar Lal laid the foundation stone for the dam's concreting work.
• Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited is constructing the 133m high concrete gravity dam.

Detailed Insights:

• The Ratle project faced challenges from Pakistan regarding its technical design under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) before its abeyance.
• Following the IWT's suspension, India is advancing projects like Ratle, Sawalkote, and Dulhasti stage-II.
• Litigation between GVK Group (initially awarded the project) and the J&K state government from 2016 to 2018 caused significant delays.
• The project faces ongoing litigation in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over alleged illegal muck dumping into the Chenab river.
• Recent controversies include allegations of recruitment interference and concerns over individuals with alleged militant links working on the project.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Environmental Clearance (EC): Permission granted by a regulatory body to a project after assessing its potential environmental impact.
• Indus Water Treaty (IWT): A water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan regarding the rivers of the Indus Basin.
• Hydroelectric Project: A facility that generates electricity by harnessing the power of moving water, typically through a dam.