Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s electricity demand is rising, but power generation remains stagnant due to legal obstacles in hydropower projects. The Energy Department admits that delays in these projects are causing significant financial losses for the state.
Rising Demand, No Increase in Production
- Over the past 13 years, annual power demand in Uttarakhand has increased by 500 crore units, while production has remained unchanged.
- In 2010, the National Ganga River Basin Authority halted 1,461 MW of projects.
- The Supreme Court imposed restrictions on 24 hydro projects (2,945 MW) in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins.
- The Ministry of Environment & Forests declared the Uttarkashi-Gangotri region an eco-sensitive zone, affecting 1,743 MW of projects.
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44 Hydropower Projects Stalled
- Of 70 planned projects, 44 (4,797 MW capacity) remain stalled due to Supreme Court orders.
- This has resulted in huge economic losses, leaving Uttarakhand’s dream of becoming an energy state unfulfilled.
