The Supreme Court has received an affidavit from the Union of India that restricts any new Hydro‑Electric Project (HEP) in the upper reaches of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basin. The move follows the 2013 Uttarakhand flood disaster that highlighted the region’s ecological fragility.
Key Developments
- Only seven HEPs — four commissioned and three under construction — are allowed to continue.
- The affidavit is backed by three ministries: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- The Court gave the Union three months, in January 2026, to decide on the recommendations of a Court‑constituted Committee.
Important Facts
The seven projects listed are:
- Tehri PSP (Tehri Stage‑II) – commissioned.
- Tapovan Vishnugad (NTPC) – 75.28% complete.
- Vishnugad Pipalkoti (THDCIL) – 80% complete.
- Singoli Bhatwari (L&T) – commissioned in November 2020.
- Phata Byung (Lanco) – 74% complete.
- Madhmaheshwar (UJVNL) – commissioned in September 2024.
- Kailganga‑II (Chamoli Hydro) – commissioned in May 2022.
The affidavit criticises the earlier expert panel EB‑II for omitting disaster‑related parameters such as landslides, flash floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, and seismic activity in its scoring methodology.
Exam Relevance
This case illustrates the intersection of environmental governance, energy policy, and disaster management—core topics for GS 3 (Environment & Ecology) and GS 2 (Polity). Aspirants should note:
- The constitutional role of the Supreme Court in adjudicating inter‑state and centre‑state disputes over natural resources.
- How ministries coordinate to balance hydropower development with ecological safety, a recurring theme in India’s renewable‑energy push.
- The importance of site‑specific assessments, especially in ecologically sensitive Himalayan basins, for policy‑making and project approval.
Way Forward
Going forward, the Union is expected to formalise the list of permissible projects and enforce stricter environmental clearances for any future HEPs in the upper Ganga basin. Continuous monitoring of seismic activity, glacial dynamics, and flood risk will be essential to prevent repeat disasters. For UPSC preparation, candidates should track the outcome of this affidavit, as it will shape future policy on sustainable hydropower and disaster‑resilient development in the Himalayas.