New Delhi: Union water resource Secretary UP Singh on Friday emphasised on run of the river power projects for sustainable overall development of the ecosystem.
Expressing apprehension that many of the power projects in India hamper the ecosystem, Singh said, "Power project is necessary but there should be sustainable development of the surrounding areas of the projects."
The statement given by Singh assumes significance as many areas adjacent to power projects in India have been suffering due to water shortage. The water resources secretary also referred to the Alaknanda river power projects.
In fact, the hydropower projects over Alaknanda river have caused water shortage in many villages as the construction of dams for hydropower projects have sucked the river dry.
Interestingly, the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydropower project of National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border is stuck for several years after several organisations opposed the construction of the dam.
Addressing at the Clean Ganga Mission programme, Singh said that the government is playing its role, "but people's awareness and participation is also necessary to make Ganga clean."
He said that Rs 7,000 crore has been sanctioned for the cleansing of river Ganga, "but we need people's awareness to make it happen."
Renowned historian, Dr. Sudipta Sen also emphasised on people's awareness to make Ganga Clean.
"It (making Ganga clean) needs two-pronged strategy. Government is there but people should also come forward in their direction," said Sen while addressing a gathering commemorating the Clean Ganga Mission in the national capital.
