Joshi clarifies about river flow of Ganga in Tehri project

Lucknow, June 6 (UNI) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dr Murli Manohar Joshi who headed the Committee set up by the Centre in 2001 to study the impact of Tehri dam on the flow of holy river Ganga/ Bhagirathi today made it clear that the Committee had proposed for allowing uninterrupted flow of river water.

Seeking to clear misgivings about the decision of the Committee, he said,in fact, the Committee had adopted the proposal which allowed unobstructed flow of Ganga river while rejecting another proposal which might have resulted in opposite situation.

The Committee, in no way, had suggested the feasibilty of Tehri Dam project in Uttaranchal state in the manner so that it may hamper the flow of the holy river, Dr Joshi told UNI here over phone thereby dismissing the allegation of local groups about the Committee favouring the flow of Bhagirathi should be interrupted.

He said the Committee had approved the proposal of Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC), implementing the Tehri project, that a pipe of 400 mm diametre with dischrage of one cumecs, offtaking from Tehri reservoir through Intermediate Level Outlet (ILO) should be laid.

''.....in such way, the water from Tehri reservoir will flow unobstructed and discharge in downstream of Tehri Dam. This scheme could be made functional alongwith commissioning of the Tehri Dam project,'' the details of the Committee report said.

The views and opinions of various eminent public figures and experts in the field of seismology and water sector were heard and various issues were discussed in the six meeting held during April, 2001 to January, 2002. The subgroups had also discussed in depth the various aspects of seismicity at Tehri and self-purifying capacity of Ganga river waters.

Dr Joshi said that Committee had also recommended that a detailed scientific study should be conducted urgently to identify the reasons for self-purifying quality of Ganga/Bhagirathi waters.

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