Central Government Opposes New Hydro-Electric Projects in Uttarakhand’s Upper Ganga Basin

The Central Government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing any new hydro-electric projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins in Uttarakhand.

Prompted by a court order following the 2013 flood disaster, the Union environment, power, and jal shakti ministries unified their stance to protect the region's fragile ecology.

The government stated that only seven ongoing or commissioned projects will be allowed to proceed, noting that four are already operational and three are near completion.

Emphasizing that uniform hydropower development policies cannot apply to this highly sensitive seismic and glaciological zone, which remains prone to frequent natural disasters.

[In Re: Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River Basin Hydro Electric Projects]