Public Hearing for Environmental Clearance of HEP Kirthie-II

            Kishtwar, October 31:  J&K State Pollution Control Board conducted Public Hearing, under the chairmanship of Kishori Lal Sharma, Additional District Development Commissioner, for Environmental clearance of 930 (MW) Kirthai-II Hydro Electric Power Project to be constructed on river Chenab by J&K State Power Development Corporation.

          About 300 to 400 people from different villages attended the meeting.

           Dr Yash Paul Sr, Scientist JKSPCB, Head labs and State Board Analyst made the general public aware about the importance of conducting Public Hearing and role of the Pollution Control Board for conducting such hearings as per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification of MOEF, Govt of India-2006. He said the mandate of public Hearing is to seek the public opinion of the projected affected areas, their issues and concern on the project.

          Some of the speakers raised their concern regarding adequate compensation at par with Kishanganga H.E Power and employment opportunities to the local people of project  affected areas.

          Yashwant Bordia, Vice President Environment Quality Management System (EQMS) provided detailed description of the environment impacts associated with the establishment of proposed project and also elaborated on Environment Management Plan (EMP) devised for mitigation of such impacts. He also presented the details of rehabilitation and re-settlement plan prepared for the project affected families.

             ADC Kishori Lal, while speaking on the occasion, assured that in the construction of the proposed project, about 2100 unemployed youths of the area shall get employment opportunities.

            ADC further stated that the genuine demands of the public shall be recommended to the government and District Administration will fully cooperate with the Project affected families while implementing resettlement and rehabilitation plan (RR Plan). He replied to the quarries raised by the public and assured that the area development plan and CSR would exclusively be used for the development of Padder and asked the JKSPDC authorities to impart skill training to the youths of Padder so that the local youths may get the job opportunities.