SC asks MoEF to file report on hydro power projects

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to file a comprehensive environment and ecological assessment report on stalled 24 hydroelectric power projects in Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins.

A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit gave four weeks time to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)  for submitting its report after scrutinising the projects.

The court asked the Centre to file the status report by December 5 while stressing once again that attempts should not be made to stall the projects while the ecological balance and environmental concerns have also be addressed.

All the 24 projects were stalled by the court on August 13, last year following the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand flood tragedy. The apex court had on October 9 pulled up the Centre for failing to submit assessment report on hydroelectric power projects .