Green court slaps fine on hydro-power company for polluting Alaknanda

New Delhi, April 14 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 50 lakh on Tehri Hydro Development Corporation for dumping construction debris in river Alaknanda in Uttarakhand.

The order issued on Thursday also says that the construction company will remove the debris dumped in the river and to restore it to its original state, else face a further fine.

The debris was from the construction of Vishnugad-Peepalkoti hydro-electric project (HEP) on the river in the state's Chamoli district.

The NGT has also orderd the contractor working on the behalf of hydro-power company to pay a sum of Rs 20 lakh.

"We impose environmental compensation of Rs 50 lakh upon Respondent no. 1. (Tehri Hydro Development Corporation). This compensation shall be paid within two weeks from today to the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board in equal shares. The amount shall be utilised for environmental protection after obtaining the orders of the Tribunal," said a the bench headed by NGT chief, Justice (retd.) Swatanter Kumar.

"A sum of Rs 20 lakh shall be recovered from sub-contractors or agents operating on behalf of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation, who were responsible for excavation and carriage/dumping of waste and have thrown the same into River Alaknanda," said the bench adding that the sum will be recovered within four weeks.

The green tribunal has also sought explanation from Public Works Department of Uttarakhand, to show cause as to why environmental compensation be not imposed upon them, as the debris was being dumped in the water bodies.

"Further, we direct Respondent no. 1 (Tehri Hydro Development Corporation), its contractors, subcontractors or agents to remove the entire dumped debris from River Alaknanda and restore the same to its original condition within four weeks from today," it said, adding that in case of default, the corporation will pay Rs 25 lakh which will be used by a committee set up the NGT at the relevant time for removal of the muck from the river and also for protective measures. 

The green tribunal also asked the central government, state government and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation to direct installation of efficient transportation monitoring
system to ensure that such projects do not cause any pollution in the river.