NHPC Uri-I Stage-II 240MW expansion: PCC B’la holds a public hearing at Boniyar

BARAMULLA, December 21: Pollution Control Committee (PCC) Baramulla today held a day long public hearing in Boniyar Uri to address the environmental and social impact of expansion of Uri I Stage-II Hydroelectric Power Project regarding extension of 240MW spanning in an area of 102 Hectare (underground), being developed by National Hydro Power Corporation LTD.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Zahoor Ahmad Raina, presided over a Public Hearing camp.

Sub District Magistrate Uri, Jatin Kishore, Regional Director State Pollution Control Committee Kashmir, District Officer PCC, Member Block Development Council, Tehsildar Boniyar, General Manager NHPC, Other concerned  officers, PRIs and citizens from Boniyar and adjoining villages attended the camp.

At the outset the NHPC officials provided a comprehensive presentation regarding draft (EIA) plans for Uri-I Stage-II and discussed the impacts of expansion on environmental and socio economic wellbeing of the local society and the measures to be taken by the company/Agency for maintaining ecological balance in the area.

It was given out that expansion will have minimal impact on the environment as no additional land is being acquired and the project will have most of its construction and working through underground tunnels. It was also mentioned that NHPC has framed Environment Management Plan, local development plan, mitigation impact plan which are part of the project.

BDC member Boniyar, PRIs, and local citizens present in the hearing put forth their grievances and demands before the NHPC and district administration pertaining to the expansion of the project viz. employment of youth both skilled and unskilled in the course of development of the second phase, providing irrigation facilities to the impacted agricultural land, essential service power line to Primary Health Center Boniyar, Street lighting among others.

All these Grievances and suggestions were registered by a senior officer from NHPC who assured that all genuine demands will be met in accordance with the mandate attached with the project/corporation. Resource mobilization in terms of development plan, ecological plan and additional CSR.

Speaking on the occasion, ADC Baramulla complimented NHPC for being open to concerns raised by the general public and stressed upon the representatives of revenue, Irrigation Flood control, JKPDCL to work tandem with NHPC authorities for implementing the mitigation plan associated with the project.

Additional Deputy Commissioner further said that a sub divisional level committee would be formed under the chairmanship of SDM Uri, to work out the best for providing sustainable water supply, irrigation facility and power supply in the area.

General Manager NHPC, while speaking on the occasion assured the local public that all their grievances would be taken up for the swift redressal and all the demands will be taken up on merit.