| Back Sindol projects opposed despite Govt 'clarification'
July 26, 2011 10:35:28 PM
SUDHIR MISHRA | Balangir
The proposed Sindol power projects have run into further controversy even after the State Government "clarified" its position on the project. Many quarters, including intellectuals, in western Odisha are questioning the projects on several points
Former Sambalpur MP Bhavani Shankar Hota has questioned the projects on many grounds, including its cost effectiveness and utility. The Sindol hydro-power projects, if implemented, would bring untold miseries and devastation to the people of the area, he said.
According to the opponents of the project, what is being touted as a new project is, in fact, the Hirakud Stage III project abandoned due to stiff opposition by the people and also by political parties, including the present ruling party.
As per the official advertisements issued, the three barrages at Deogaon in Sambalpur district and Kapasira and Godhaneswar in Subarnapur and Boudh districts will be of 811.8 metre, 919.50 metre and 1017.50 metre in length, generating 100, 100 and 120 MW of hydroelectricity with costs of Rs 861 crore, Rs 818 crore and Rs 939 crore, respectively.
Surprisingly the height of each barrage was not mentioned which would have significant bearing on the people of the area.
Hota said, "In response to our allegation about the heights of the three barrages, the Minister of Energy has now come out with a prompt clarification by saying that the heights of the barrages have been reduced by 2 metre in case of Deogaon (Sindol-I), 2.7 metre in case of Kapasira (S-II) and 1.7 metre in case of Godhaneswar (S-III) from what was stipulated in the DPR (Detailed Project Report) of 1994. By implication, the Government is saying that the problems of displacement will be tackled by reducing the heights of the barrages."
This could only be ascertained if the DPRs of 2003 and 2007 are made public. "If there were no separate DPRs for 2003 and 2007, then basing on which DPR the then Minister of Energy (Surjya Narayan Patro) in 2003 wrote to his party MLA Sanatan Bisi to the effect that due to certainty of huge displacement and submergence the project was being abandoned," questioned Hota
According to Hota, the other points remain unanswered as follows; With an investment of Rs 2,618 crore, the OHPC (Odisha Hydro Power Corporation) will generate 1,090 MU having an installed capacity of 320 MW. But the great Hirakud Dam, known as the Asia's largest earthen dam, has a capacity of 275.5 MW at present whereas the actual installed capacity is 367.5 MW. But the actual figure of production at present would be about half of what is being provided. The total installed capacity of Upper Kolab, Rengali, Balimela, Indravati and Burla hydro power stations is 2,255 MW whereas the average generation (in the peak-period) as on July 20, 2011 was only 919.5746 MW.
On the basis of the above calculation, the actual production capacity of the Sindol projects may be around 150 MW instead of (proposed) installed capacity of 320 MW.
The MoU has been signed, but the Government has not come out with any cost-benefit analysis of the projects, he said.
In this context, Hota demanded a socio-economic survey of the localities on both sides of the river Mahanadi as the reservoir would engulf all the sides. Further, the Government should undertake an assessment of loss to the people and also to the Government on account of Kendu leaf and other minor forest produces like timber and bamboo.
Separate assessment for loss or damage to fisheries and prawn cultivation along the river should also be undertaken as the entire river belt is known for good and costly quality of prawn and fish, he said.
Hota, answering to a question, said it is not a worthy project which will only achieve a target of about 150 MW (on practical experience and empirical basis) with an investment of Rs 2,600 crore that is likely to be escalated to around Rs 5,000 crore by the time of completion by 2016.
"It is a better proposal to invest less than half of the project money in expanding and strengthening the existing infrastructure at Hirakud and Chiplima to achieve the same target without any social cost of displacement of people and destruction of forest and fertile cultivable land, Hota said.
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