SRINAGAR: The Union Government on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that it has no information indicating that any houses or structures in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district have developed cracks or become unsafe due to blasting, tunnelling or muck disposal linked to hydropower projects being executed by NHPC Limited and Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd (CVPPL).
Replying to an unstarred question by Rajya Sabha member Sajad Ahmad Kichloo, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said no cases of structural damage caused by construction activities associated with NHPC or CVPPL hydropower projects have been reported in the district.
The MP had sought details of the number of houses and structures that had allegedly developed cracks or been rendered unsafe due to blasting, tunnelling and muck disposal, along with village-wise compensation assessed and disbursed to affected families.
In its response, the Ministry said there was no information available regarding any such damage and, consequently, no compensation details were reported.
On concerns regarding environmental compliance, the government stated that NHPC and CVPPL are adhering to all environmental clearance conditions related to muck disposal, blasting norms and other environmental safeguards for their hydropower projects. It said six-monthly environmental compliance reports are regularly submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The Ministry further informed the House that no forest land has been diverted or used by NHPC or CVPPL without obtaining the requisite statutory clearances.
