Public hearing on Narmada hydel-power projects

Bhopal, Nov 18 (UNI) Public hearing will be organised in the areas of Upper Narmada Zone where the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) has proposed to construct nine hydel-power projects.

''Public hearing would provide information about public concerns, problems, objections and suggestions. The outcome of the public hearing would be looked into and objections would be rectified,'' NVDA Vice Chairman Uday Kumar Verma said.

Mr Verma said public hearing practices would help in involving people's participation in bringing up the projects.

The proposed hydel-power projects included Raghavpur(20 MW), Rosra (35 MW), Basania (60 MW), Chinki (50 MW), Sitarewa (15 MW), Handia (51 MW), Boras (55 MW), Hoshangabad (60 MW) and Gopalpur (25 MW) were proposed, an official release said here today.

A detail project report was being prepared in this regard besides a study on the environmental effects.

After obtaining environmental clearance from the Centre, public hearing would be organised in the related areas of the proposed projects.

Out of these nine projects, Handia Boras Hoshangabad and Gopalpur were targeted to be completed in 2010-2011, while the rest would be completed in 2011-2012.

The proposed projects would collectively create 371 MW of power potential. About Rs 3,000 crore would be incurred to complete these projects.

Mr Verma said environmental reports pertaining to hydel-power projects would be translated in Hindi and local dialects so that people may get it during public hearing.

UNI PS 1546