news details |
|
|
| In 5-years, 35 workers killed at Kishtwar hydropower projects | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, July 27: A total of 35 workers lost their lives and three others sustained serious injuries at various NHPC Limited and Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL) hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district over the last five years, the Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Replying to two separate questions raised by the National Conference Rajya Sabha MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said that the fatalities were reported across the Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar and Ratle hydroelectric projects, while the government maintained that there was no evidence of houses or structures being damaged due to project-related blasting, tunnelling or muck disposal.
According to the Ministry, Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project recorded the highest number of fatalities at 16, followed by Kiru (8), Ratle (6) and Kwar (5). Three serious injuries were reported at the Kwar project.
The Government informed the House that compensation amounting to Rs 2.76 crore has been paid in connection with fatalities at Pakal Dul, Rs 1.20 crore at Kiru, Rs 99.16 lakh at Ratle and Rs 29.43 lakh at Kwar. Compensation of Rs 35.30 lakh has also been paid to the three seriously injured workers at the Kwar project.
The Ministry, however, clarified that compensation in two fatality cases at Pakal Dul and three cases at Kwar has been processed and will be disbursed after completion of the required formalities.
On safety oversight, the Government said statutory safety audits and inspections of hydroelectric projects are carried out through independent agencies. It informed the Rajya Sabha that the British Standards Institution (BSI) conducted an independent safety audit of the Kiru Hydroelectric Project in 2024, which identified only minor non-compliances.
These included delays in reporting accidents to the head office, the need for regular training of drivers and equipment operators, maintaining adequate stock of electrical resistance rubber mats and strict compliance with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) regulations. The Ministry said all corrective measures recommended in the audit have since been implemented.
It further stated that a Joint Safety Committee, comprising representatives of the project developer and contractors, regularly reviews safety measures and monitors compliance at the project sites.
Responding to concerns over the impact of hydropower construction on nearby habitations, the Government categorically stated that it has no information indicating that any house or structure in Kishtwar district developed cracks or became unsafe due to blasting, tunnelling or muck disposal associated with NHPC or CVPPL projects.
The Ministry also said all environmental clearance conditions relating to blasting, muck disposal and other environmental safeguards are being complied with by the project authorities. It added that six-monthly compliance reports are submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The Government further asserted that no forest land has been diverted or utilised by NHPC or CVPPL without obtaining the requisite statutory clearances, reaffirming that all mandatory environmental and forest approvals are in place for the ongoing hydroelectric projects. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
