Himachal villagers demand compensation for land taken over by powerplant

KULLU - Villagers residing near the construction site of a hydel power plant in Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh have demanded compensation for the destruction of their homes.

The National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) is constructing 2000 MW hydel power plant in the region and the construction work has been continuing for the past seven years.

Villagers of the region lament that due to the construction work they have faced a tough time as the debris, dumped into their villages, has caused the destruction of their homes.

Villagers are facing problems in getting drinking water, as well as water for irrigation and that has affected the livelihood of the local farmers, who are entirely dependent on vegetable cultivation.

There are more that fifteen houses in the adjoining villages, which have been destroyed by the debris.

“We had around fifteen houses in this area, including mine, but all of them were destroyed after the debris was dumped in this area. Even after repeated appeals to stop the dumping, so that our houses remain protected, the authorities have not been paid any heed to our problems. Due to this we forced to shift to our homes to a safer place,” said Om Prakash, a resident.

“The authorities should either compensate them for their losses, or stop dumping the debris into their villages and rivers,” he added.

Meanwhile, local administration has assured that the concerned authorities are taking care of the matter with appropriate steps taken to ensure the safety of the villagers.

“We have been following the problems of the locals. Their appeal to stop dumping of the debris has been forwarded to the concerned authorities, regarding which the National Hydro-electric Power Corporation have organized a meeting with the authorities. We have taken the problems of the locals into notice, but this project is a continuous process and dumping of the debris is a part of it. However, the concerned authorities will look into their problems and take the locals into confidence,” said Raj Krishan Purthy, Additional District Magistrate. (ANI)