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India: Tehri Dam

Matu People's organisation

Press Release Date: 12.05.03

Dhol kee Pol : Pol kee Khol

To disclose the reality of govt.'s claims, regarding Tehri dam project 'Matu People's organisation' organized a march -"Dhol kee Pol : Pol kee Khol" (Disclosing the emptiness) - from 29th April to 11th May, in the villages of Bhagirathi and Bhilangna valleys.

Vimal Bhai the convenor of Matu People's organisation, Mahipal Singh Negi, Puran singh Rana, Vijay Nautiyal, Gopal singh Rana and many other representatives from Tehri city and various villages of submergence area participated in the march.

During the march, meetings were organized at various places. Personal meetings were also held. During these meeting it was found that there is anger among the people regarding the whole rehabilitation process. They have many questions and doubts. People want to convey these questions and doubts to the central and state govt. through Matu People's organisation They are eager to know the government's view point too.

Dikoli village under Neri village panchayat in Bhagirathi valley is a dreadful example of government's apathy towards rehabilitation. This village is 12% affected by Tehri dam, 40% by Maneri Bhali Phase- II and 12% by the PWD roads. Still, the village having around 20 families is not considered as fully displaced. This is going to happen to the Baur Village in Bhilangna valley too.

The claim of completion of the rehabilitation upto 780 meter of reservoir Level by the state Govt. is only to show that they have completed the rehabilitation within the time frame as filed in the affidavits submitted to the Supreme Court. The fact is that even some part of forestland has not been cleared yet at the rehabilitation site. Lands have not been allotted in all awarded villages for example Bhaldiyana village. Displaced people of villages like Asena have complaints against the officials and staffs for threatening and allurement. Rehabilitation work is not going on according to the policy. Even the oustees are forced to visit the rehabilitation office repeatedly for registering their name in the list.

A part of long road connecting Asena village to the dam site (5 KM) is really dangerous. Besides this rout is for Badri Kedar Temple. It crosses the residential area too. No other 'project road' has been constructed. The trucks loaded with stones move dangerously on this road. The roads are not widened because this will increase the number of oustees for example Pipaldali village. The population residing in the area and vehicles both are at risk. Any hindrance in the movement of trucks has been declared punishable crime by the Govt. Is it not a criminal act to overlook the rehabilitation? During the march it was found that people have to pay more in terms of money and time for the solution of common problems.

The govt. continuously dissimulates for lack of funds. During the march this fact came to light that there is no shortage of funds for the rehabilitation work but there is a shortage of political will and adequate procedure.

We are sending our doubts and questions aroused in present scenario to the chief minister of the state through the district magistrate. The same will be presented to the power minister at center too.

The disclosure of the reality of the claims made by govt. on environmental issues is on the agenda of Matu People's organisation. The reality will be soon publicised.

Questions from central and state govt. on the issue of rehabilitation

  1. An amount of Rs.60, 000 is being given against Rs.1, 00,000 as approved by the central govt. for house construction assistance to rural outees. Why state Govt. deducts Rs. 40000/-?
  2. What is the significance of the condition of demolition of houses before house construction assistance? Where the rural oustees will go with their household and cattle? Is there any arrangement of tin shades as like for urban oustees?
  3. On what basis did the govt. declared on 10th April about the completion of rehabilitation process till 780M reservoir level without finalizing the list of PAF's, land rates and houses compensations in the villages under the 780M reservoir level, even every awarded village did not get land.
  4. Why the pillars of the submergence area are erected again? What is the actual level of submergence? Whether the older pillars or the new ones?
  5. The future of villages like Khola, Jalwalgaon and Kangsali are still uncertain, because there is a possibility of landslides in the rim area of the reservoir. How long this uncertainty of the rim area will be there? Why the report of Geological Survey done in July 2002 in the rim area of the reservoir is not publicised?
  6. Why the proposed plan for the development of green belt and the survey of villages being affected by the rim area has not been prepared? Will green belt plan be prepared?
  7. Why the construction of Syansu Bridge connecting the cut off area has been postponed? When the construction of Peepaldali Bridge will be completed? In the light of this, what is the significance of the plan of closure of T-1 and T-2 in December 2003?
  8. It is decided the share of power produced from the dam among the Center Govt., Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. Why free electricity for the Tehri district and affected population is not determined?
  9. How much water will be getting by the local population for the domestic consumption and irrigation? Is there any plan for this purpose?
  10. What is the purpose of forming the coordination committee for rehabilitation and other committees while they have not conducted any meetings since 3 December 2001?
  11. Where is the office of the public grievances dept., formed as per the recommendation of Hanumant Rao committee and who is the office bearer?
  12. When, where and how the drinking water and water for irrigation will reach Delhi and Uttar Pradesh? Where are canals and pipelines? Whether the pipelines displace or affect the down stream population?
  13. New Tehri master plan has proved to be a total failure. Who is responsible for this?

    14. We need explanation from Govt.

    Vimalbhai
    Rajendra Singh Rawat
    Mahipal Singh Negi
    (Convenor)
    -Po & Village Chham, Tehri Garwal, Uttrakhand.
    -D-105, Ganesh Nagar, Pandav Nagar Complex, Delhi-110092/Ph.-91+11+22063871
    Email- vimal_bhaiathclinfinet.com
    Email- vimal_bhaiatindiatimes.com

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