Ganges Rive 1850 painting.
Public Sector and flush with funds power giant National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC), India was allotted four hydro electric projects with installed capacity of 1550MW.
Permitted - 520MW Tapovan Vishnugad & - 171MW Lata Tapovan
Cancelled - 261MW Khasiabara & 600MW Loharinagpala
All in the north Indian hill province of Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal).
Between allotment and cancellation of the two projects NTPC has spent about US$ 145million
And now, NTPC has virtually been left with only one big project — 520 Mw Topovan Vishnugaad at Chamoli district where work is in progress. This project was recently at the centre of an environmental controversy related to its underground tunnel. Another project, the 171 Mw Lata Tapovan has not made any progress so far.
Government of India may compensate US$145million to the company. However, the real challenge before the Centre is how to plug the 16 km long tunnel which has potential to become an environmental disaster.
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