NHPC has requested the environment
ministry for prior environment
clearance to the 1,020-mw Bursar
hydroelectric project in Jammu &
Kashmir. Although, the environment
ministry has stated that it is necessary for
NHPC to first apply for forest clearance
(Stage-I) for the forest land involved for the
project and to submit the proposal for
obtaining the TORs thereafter, NHPC is still
insisting on the prior environment
clearance on grounds that it will be difficult
to apply for Stage-I forest clearance to
State Forest department without carrying
out the detailed investigation and
environment impact assessment study.
As a final decision on the issue
remains pending, the project has also
been unable to move further due to the
delay in central funding. NHPC has
submitted an abstract of cost for
preparation of DPR, considering Pakal as
well as Hanzal site, amounting to
104.13 crore. As the amount still
remains to be released from the Centre,
the progress on the project has been
hanging fire. NHPC Board has resolved
that the survey and investigation works
and preparation of DPR for Bursar Project
will be taken up only after the release of
funds by the Centre.
In view of this, the power ministry has
been requested at several occasions to
facilitate the funding.
Bursar hydroelectric project is a
storage project envisaged to come up
near village Hanzal in Jammu & Kashmir.
The storage system of the power project
is expected to be used for additional
power generation during the lean flow
months. It has been proposed to develop
four units of 225 mw each in the project.
The total expenditure incurred up to
August 2011 is
93.36 crore.