Seers protest against hydropower projects in Haridwar

Haridwar, Mar 23 (ANI): Hindu seers and sadhus under the banner of All India Akhara Parishad, an apex body of monks, staged protest against all the hydropower projects on River Bhagirathi in Uttarakashi.

The Parishad started its indefinite demonstration at Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar to press for its demand for the closure of all the major projects.

In the ultimatum issued to the government, the All India Akhara Parishad has proposed that its associates will boycott the ongoing 'Maha Kumbh Mela' if the construction of the projects is not stalled by April 28.

"The government has asked us to postpone our protest till April 10 as it needs some time to solve the issue but we give the government a deadline till the evening of April 27...if we will not receive any call from the government on the morning of April 28 then we will boycott the 'Shahi Snana' during the ongoing Kumbh Mela," said Mahant Gyan Das, President, All India Akhara Parishad.

The projects include 600-MW project by the NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) at Lahori Nagpala and others belonging to the state-run Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL).

The Central government is expected to take a decision on three hydropower projects on Bhagirathi, which are put on hold, in April after the culmination of Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar. (ANI)