Vedanta did not pay water bills: Orissa
September 05, 2011 10:04 IST
Vedanta Aluminum Ltd (VAL), already struggling to get environment and forest clearances for its Orissa projects, is now faced with a new challenge.
The state government's water resources department has alleged the company's Jharsuguda unit has not paid Rs 10.94 crore (Rs 109.4 million) of its bills, since 2008.
Vedanta has denied the charge, saying there is lack of clarity in the way the Orissa government is charging industry in the state.
The state government has given a list of water bill defaulting units to the high court in which VAL also figures. The company confirms the state government has raised the issue.
"There was a difference of opinion on the amount to be paid to the government, as we were not using water from the source allotted to us. When we started operations in 2008, the pipeline from the source was not ready, so we used water from a different source," a company official said.
Vedanta had approval from the state water development authority to draw up to 10 million gallons per day from the Bedan river. Though the company got approval, no agreement was signed.
"The government had said that there are dues of Rs 2 crore (Rs 20 million) during the period. Since there was no agreement, it is a violation, so they have imposed six times the penalty on Rs 2 crore (Rs 20 million)," the official added.
The Orissa government had allotted 30 million gallons per day (mg/d) for Vedanta's captive power plant and 20 mg/d to the Jharsuguda unit from the Hirakud dam.
Vedanta Aluminum Ltd (VAL), an associate company of the globally diversified Vedanta Resources Plc, operates a 500,000-tonne aluminium smelter presently in operation and a 1,215 Mw captive power plant in Jharsuguda. It is also commissioning an independent power plant of 2,400 Mw in Jharsuguda.
Its Lanjigarh unit, which operates a one-million tonne per annum aluminium plant, is also facing water trouble. The company was allotted five mg/d water from the nearby Tel river.
According to the Industrial Policy of 2001, benefit is given to an industry for setting up operations in remote locations.
A company can get a 25 per cent rebate if it uses water from a regulated source and 50 per cent rebate if it uses from unregulated sources.
VAL says it is eligible for a 50 per cent rebate but the state government is unwilling to give it. It has written to the industrial department to look again into the matter.
The company is also in talks with water resources department officials.
Showing posts with label water allocation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water allocation. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, August 23, 2010
Urban Water Supply
Govt set to plug overflowing taps
- Awareness drive to pay fine and legalise water connections
SUBHASHISH MOHANTY
When several districts in the state is facing drought-like situation, citizens in Bhubaneswar show no concern to save water. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 22: Believe it or not. Nearly 100 million litre of water gets wasted in the city everyday.
Bhubaneswar is one of the few cities in the country where the water supply capacity is almost double its requirement.
Though the city’s requires 160 million litres of water daily, the public health engineering department has the capacity to supply 260 million litres of water everyday.
“Nearly 100 million litres of water gets wasted everyday because of lack of awareness among the people on the use of water,” said M.R. Nanda, executive engineer of Bhubaneswar city. Officials said it could be stopped if the state government plans to introduce water metre.
The officials said that though the government had mooted the idea to introduce water metre, it has so far refrained from implementing the scheme fearing public backlash.
At present, Bhubaneswar gets water from Mahanadi, Daya and Kuakhai rivers. While 125 million litres of water is being taken everyday from Kuakhai, 20 million litres is drawn from Daya and 60 million litres from Mahanadi. The rest is sourced from underground water sources and small streams.
In a bid to crack down on illegal water connections, the public health engineering department has regularised 819 unauthorised connections during the last seven days in the city.
“We have collected Rs 15 lakh by converting unauthorised connections into regular ones. The money has been collected under the amnesty scheme that ended on Friday. Though the amnesty scheme has ended, there are several other schemes that the people can avail and take benefit from,” said Nanda.
He further added that all attempts had been made to regularise illegal water connections. Though it is very difficult to ascertain the exact number of illegal connections, Bhubaneswar has 61,000 regular connection points. Over the last two years, the number of regular water connections has jumped from 54,000 to 61,000.
One connection point can provide water to more than 400 households. “The entire campus of Utkal University is considered a single connection,” he said.
To reach out to the masses and create awareness among the people, the public health engineering department has started a water connection mela.
“We visit a particular area on public holidays so that people can take benefit of our awareness campaigns. At these camps, local residents can regularise their unauthorised connections by paying a fine of Rs 500,” he added.
Earlier, one had to wait for nearly 20-30 days to get a new connection. Now one can get a connection by paying Rs 3,060 even in instalments to get an authorised connection. “The monthly average collection of the waste cess is around Rs 1.20 core,” Nanda added.
- Awareness drive to pay fine and legalise water connections
SUBHASHISH MOHANTY
When several districts in the state is facing drought-like situation, citizens in Bhubaneswar show no concern to save water. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 22: Believe it or not. Nearly 100 million litre of water gets wasted in the city everyday.
Bhubaneswar is one of the few cities in the country where the water supply capacity is almost double its requirement.
Though the city’s requires 160 million litres of water daily, the public health engineering department has the capacity to supply 260 million litres of water everyday.
“Nearly 100 million litres of water gets wasted everyday because of lack of awareness among the people on the use of water,” said M.R. Nanda, executive engineer of Bhubaneswar city. Officials said it could be stopped if the state government plans to introduce water metre.
The officials said that though the government had mooted the idea to introduce water metre, it has so far refrained from implementing the scheme fearing public backlash.
At present, Bhubaneswar gets water from Mahanadi, Daya and Kuakhai rivers. While 125 million litres of water is being taken everyday from Kuakhai, 20 million litres is drawn from Daya and 60 million litres from Mahanadi. The rest is sourced from underground water sources and small streams.
In a bid to crack down on illegal water connections, the public health engineering department has regularised 819 unauthorised connections during the last seven days in the city.
“We have collected Rs 15 lakh by converting unauthorised connections into regular ones. The money has been collected under the amnesty scheme that ended on Friday. Though the amnesty scheme has ended, there are several other schemes that the people can avail and take benefit from,” said Nanda.
He further added that all attempts had been made to regularise illegal water connections. Though it is very difficult to ascertain the exact number of illegal connections, Bhubaneswar has 61,000 regular connection points. Over the last two years, the number of regular water connections has jumped from 54,000 to 61,000.
One connection point can provide water to more than 400 households. “The entire campus of Utkal University is considered a single connection,” he said.
To reach out to the masses and create awareness among the people, the public health engineering department has started a water connection mela.
“We visit a particular area on public holidays so that people can take benefit of our awareness campaigns. At these camps, local residents can regularise their unauthorised connections by paying a fine of Rs 500,” he added.
Earlier, one had to wait for nearly 20-30 days to get a new connection. Now one can get a connection by paying Rs 3,060 even in instalments to get an authorised connection. “The monthly average collection of the waste cess is around Rs 1.20 core,” Nanda added.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Government defends ‘water for industries’ stand
Government defends ‘water for industries’ stand
Express News Service
First Published : 06 Aug 2010 07:47:42 AM IST
Last Updated : 06 Aug 2010 12:10:30 PM IST
BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today sought to water down the Opposition charges over use of the Mahanadi water for industries.
Against the backdrop of the agitation against the use of the river water for industrial use picking up steam, an unrelenting government strongly defended its decision to supply water to industries from the river and Hirakud reservoir.
Dismissing Opposition claims that there is insufficient water in Mahanadi as its bed has become swallow due to heavy siltation, Industries Minister Raghunath Mohanty said 66 per cent of water flows down the sea unutilised.
“Only 14 per cent of Mahanadi water is used in monsoon season, while 34 per cent of it is available for use during non-monsoon period,” he said while making a statement in response to a calling attention motion moved by ruling BJD members.
The Minister rejected demand of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) for constitution of a commission to examine different aspects of the river water use terming it ‘irrelevant’.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) examines all technical aspects while approving all inter-state irrigation projects. Besides, the State Government has set up a high- level technical committee for better management of the Mahanadi river water and suggesting flood-control measures.
While 7.9 per cent water from the river is given to industries during the non-monsoon season, 12.95 per cent is meant for agriculture and 2.2 per cent for drinking water, he said. Refuting the Opposition charge that the State Government is providing water to industries at the cost of farmers, the Minister said the Centre’s policy on water distribution is being followed. He said drinking water comes first in the priority list followed by ecological and environmental protection, agriculture, hydro electricity projects, industries and tourism.
Mohanty asserted that agriculture has been given priority in river water distribution and the State Government would not act against the interest of farmers. There are 17 reservoirs, including Hirakud, on Mahanadi while six more large and medium reservoirs are under construction.
After the completion of these projects, expected in 2014, 15 per cent of water flowing into the sea can be utilised, he said.
He said agreements have been signed with 35 industries for supply of water from the Naraj barrage. Only eight are drawing water from the barrage at present.
Similarly, 14 industries have been allowed to draw water from the Hirakud reservoir, he said. Quoting a CWC report in 2007, the Minister said 0.500 million acre feet Mahanadi water could be used in industries. “Now industries use only 0.0785 million acre feet of water which is much less than the recommended supply,” he said.
Express News Service
First Published : 06 Aug 2010 07:47:42 AM IST
Last Updated : 06 Aug 2010 12:10:30 PM IST
BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today sought to water down the Opposition charges over use of the Mahanadi water for industries.
Against the backdrop of the agitation against the use of the river water for industrial use picking up steam, an unrelenting government strongly defended its decision to supply water to industries from the river and Hirakud reservoir.
Dismissing Opposition claims that there is insufficient water in Mahanadi as its bed has become swallow due to heavy siltation, Industries Minister Raghunath Mohanty said 66 per cent of water flows down the sea unutilised.
“Only 14 per cent of Mahanadi water is used in monsoon season, while 34 per cent of it is available for use during non-monsoon period,” he said while making a statement in response to a calling attention motion moved by ruling BJD members.
The Minister rejected demand of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) for constitution of a commission to examine different aspects of the river water use terming it ‘irrelevant’.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) examines all technical aspects while approving all inter-state irrigation projects. Besides, the State Government has set up a high- level technical committee for better management of the Mahanadi river water and suggesting flood-control measures.
While 7.9 per cent water from the river is given to industries during the non-monsoon season, 12.95 per cent is meant for agriculture and 2.2 per cent for drinking water, he said. Refuting the Opposition charge that the State Government is providing water to industries at the cost of farmers, the Minister said the Centre’s policy on water distribution is being followed. He said drinking water comes first in the priority list followed by ecological and environmental protection, agriculture, hydro electricity projects, industries and tourism.
Mohanty asserted that agriculture has been given priority in river water distribution and the State Government would not act against the interest of farmers. There are 17 reservoirs, including Hirakud, on Mahanadi while six more large and medium reservoirs are under construction.
After the completion of these projects, expected in 2014, 15 per cent of water flowing into the sea can be utilised, he said.
He said agreements have been signed with 35 industries for supply of water from the Naraj barrage. Only eight are drawing water from the barrage at present.
Similarly, 14 industries have been allowed to draw water from the Hirakud reservoir, he said. Quoting a CWC report in 2007, the Minister said 0.500 million acre feet Mahanadi water could be used in industries. “Now industries use only 0.0785 million acre feet of water which is much less than the recommended supply,” he said.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Industry cloud on river water
Industry cloud on river water
Bhubaneswar, July 14: The debate over industries polluting water bodies notwithstanding, yet another integrated steel plant (ISP) has been proposed in the over-polluted Jharsuguda-Sambalpur belt. The latest project is likely to take further toll on Mahanadi and its tributaries.
The mini ISP of Raipur Iron and Steel Company Private Limited at Kirarama in Lakhanpur block of Jharsuguda district would draw 4,500 cubic metres of water daily from Ib, a major tributary of Mahanadi, for the production of sponge iron, MS billets and TMT bars. The unit would also generate 33MW of power besides having a coal washery. With at least seven major industries, including two integrated steel plants and coal mines located within a 10km radius of the project site, civil society members apprehend not only a threat to the flow of rivers like Ib, Bheden and Mahanadi catering to the drinking water and irrigation needs of around five lakh people but also a significant rise in the pollution levels.
“The Sambalpur-Jharsuguda belt is already overloaded with industries with even the Central Pollution Control Board advising against the setting up of new units in the area without a proper carrying capacity study. One wonders as to why the government is in such a hurry to set up new industries in this region where pollution keeps growing and all rivers are under tremendous pressure,” said Ranjan Panda, the convener of Water Initiatives Orissa, a non-profit.
Pointing out that around 70 small and big industries operate in the area, Panda said the impact of rampant industrialisation has been felt by almost all the rivers, including Mahanadi, Ib and Beheden, with their flow drastically reduced. “The drop in their flow has been around 30 per cent which is quite significant considering they cater to the needs of a large population,” added the expert.
He said barring monsoon, the rivers were not even able to maintain their minimum ecological flow, having a bad impact on agriculture. Quite a few of these industries have also been tapping water from the riverbeds on the sly. While unauthorised drawl of water is a fact admitted even by officials, in the absence of a water audit, authentic data in this regard is hard to acquire.
Lashing out at the government for allowing more and more industries to come up in the area, convener of Paschim Orissa Krushak Sangathan Samanvaya Samiti Lingraj said a crisis seems approaching for the local fishing community.
“Lakhanpur block, where the new unit is coming up, has a sizeable fishing population that would face a threat with heavy drawal of water from Ib. Growing pressure on Hirakud reservoir has made things difficult for the community in its periphery areas. The government must review its industrial policy immediately in the larger interest of the people,” added Lingraj.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100715/jsp/orissa/story_12683942.jsp
Bhubaneswar, July 14: The debate over industries polluting water bodies notwithstanding, yet another integrated steel plant (ISP) has been proposed in the over-polluted Jharsuguda-Sambalpur belt. The latest project is likely to take further toll on Mahanadi and its tributaries.
The mini ISP of Raipur Iron and Steel Company Private Limited at Kirarama in Lakhanpur block of Jharsuguda district would draw 4,500 cubic metres of water daily from Ib, a major tributary of Mahanadi, for the production of sponge iron, MS billets and TMT bars. The unit would also generate 33MW of power besides having a coal washery. With at least seven major industries, including two integrated steel plants and coal mines located within a 10km radius of the project site, civil society members apprehend not only a threat to the flow of rivers like Ib, Bheden and Mahanadi catering to the drinking water and irrigation needs of around five lakh people but also a significant rise in the pollution levels.
“The Sambalpur-Jharsuguda belt is already overloaded with industries with even the Central Pollution Control Board advising against the setting up of new units in the area without a proper carrying capacity study. One wonders as to why the government is in such a hurry to set up new industries in this region where pollution keeps growing and all rivers are under tremendous pressure,” said Ranjan Panda, the convener of Water Initiatives Orissa, a non-profit.
Pointing out that around 70 small and big industries operate in the area, Panda said the impact of rampant industrialisation has been felt by almost all the rivers, including Mahanadi, Ib and Beheden, with their flow drastically reduced. “The drop in their flow has been around 30 per cent which is quite significant considering they cater to the needs of a large population,” added the expert.
He said barring monsoon, the rivers were not even able to maintain their minimum ecological flow, having a bad impact on agriculture. Quite a few of these industries have also been tapping water from the riverbeds on the sly. While unauthorised drawl of water is a fact admitted even by officials, in the absence of a water audit, authentic data in this regard is hard to acquire.
Lashing out at the government for allowing more and more industries to come up in the area, convener of Paschim Orissa Krushak Sangathan Samanvaya Samiti Lingraj said a crisis seems approaching for the local fishing community.
“Lakhanpur block, where the new unit is coming up, has a sizeable fishing population that would face a threat with heavy drawal of water from Ib. Growing pressure on Hirakud reservoir has made things difficult for the community in its periphery areas. The government must review its industrial policy immediately in the larger interest of the people,” added Lingraj.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100715/jsp/orissa/story_12683942.jsp
Is the Mahanadi Water going to sea not used/unutilized/waste?
Is the Mahanadi Water going to sea not used/unutilized/waste?
Over last two days (Aug 5th and 6th), two Senior Ministers of the State have made two different yet significant remarks (see news link below) about water allocation from the Mahanadi- but both have made the same argument that water which goes to sea in the Mahanadi is not used/utilized or has no users. It is a dangerous thinking, almost toeing the line of Engineering (an economic) paradigm of river management which believes that water going (or draining!) to sea is a waste and therefore there should be as many storages and diversions as possible and that such waters stored/channelized should be put to economic uses.
However, it is now a fact that such paradigm has lead to disastrous consequences leading to close river basins (viz. Krishna), more floods, depletion of mangroves, stopping of formation of delta, ingression of salinity, dwindling aquatic biodiversity, losing of fishermen’s livelihoods, destruction of river-bank livelihoods including agriculture apart from negative implications on culture. It is quite surprising that, while dams are being decommissioned, environmental flows (not in the line, dominant thinking in India i.e. allowing about 15% of to flow in the river as environmental flow and abstracting others for economic use) and living (and undammed) rivers are becoming symbols of future river management elsewhere in the World, our decision makers are tirelessly defending the failed paradigms.
A river lives when it flows. It has to flow to remain live. By flowing a river
o flushes its channels (doesn’t allow sedimentation and rising of river beds),
o recharge sub-surface water (there is a saying that below every river, another sub-surface river runs),
o supports aquatic fauna including fisheries and livelihoods around them
o support riparian habitats through river-bank livelihoods
o creates delta/flood plains (through overflowing and spreading silt)
People living in Mahanadi delta don’t require to be told about its dwindling flows, increased sedimentation of the river bed, increasing flood damages, increasing threats of saline ingression and change in tidal patterns, reduction of aquatic biodiversity and fish catches so on and so forth. In stead of substantiating allocation to industry by making such statements about how much water is draining unused to sea, what is required is instituting scientific investigations into these changes, which unless taken up now, can lead us to points of no return, the way our industrial development ambitions are expanding.
There is also another statistical dimension to these figures quoted by our Ministers, which requires closer scrutiny. While Industries minister says 67% of Mahanadi water (Is it total Mahanadi water?) flowing to sea unused, Agriculture Minister says 66% of Water from Jobra (others going to Taldanda and Machhgaon) canal flows to the sea. These two statements are not same, as one tells about whole Mahanadi without reference to any points and another point to allocations at Jobra. Civil society must also know the sources of these data and methodology followed to triangulate the figures.
There are many figures floating around concerning water allocation to industries. While they could be true as per the agreements signed with WRD, exact amount taken is often difficult to know with allegations about higher withdrawal. This is due to the fact that most of the industries are drawing water from reservoir or barrage directly in contrast to agriculture which is provided through canals (canal allocation can be easily verified from daily flow in cusec/cumec from canal head). Therefore it is very important to have regulatory mechanism in place to monitor extraction by industry or simply putting a ban on their extraction from reservoir/barrage and asking them to take through other sources. After all, no major reservoir and barrage was ever constructed out of public money with an objective to allocating water to profit-making private concerns.
In the allocation debate, often a critical issue like ‘pollution’ of rivers by industry get lost. It must be kept in mind, Industry not only take good water in bulk from best sources, but also put its worst water back into our lifelines. We must not forget that the first ever ‘environmental movement’ in Orissa was fought around this very issue way back in 1950s by l ate Sradhakar Supker, who had filed a petition before court to save river IB and Mahanadi from pollution caused by Orient Paper Mill of Brajaraj Nagar, even before Hirakud Dam was built.
Civil society must rise to engage itself more closely, critically and also strategically in this whole debate about water allocations and use – be it prioritization through policy, execution through agreements or monitoring and regulation.
News Links
Orissa defends water supplies to industries
Says 67 percent of Mahanadi water flows into the sea as there is no user
PTI | Bhubaneswar | August 05 2010
http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/orissa-defends-water-supplies-industries
Agriculture Minister bats for industries
Express News Service
First Published : 04 Aug 2010 05:14:47 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Aug 2010 12:12:44 PM IST
http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/agriculture-minister-bats-for-industries/195367.html
Over last two days (Aug 5th and 6th), two Senior Ministers of the State have made two different yet significant remarks (see news link below) about water allocation from the Mahanadi- but both have made the same argument that water which goes to sea in the Mahanadi is not used/utilized or has no users. It is a dangerous thinking, almost toeing the line of Engineering (an economic) paradigm of river management which believes that water going (or draining!) to sea is a waste and therefore there should be as many storages and diversions as possible and that such waters stored/channelized should be put to economic uses.
However, it is now a fact that such paradigm has lead to disastrous consequences leading to close river basins (viz. Krishna), more floods, depletion of mangroves, stopping of formation of delta, ingression of salinity, dwindling aquatic biodiversity, losing of fishermen’s livelihoods, destruction of river-bank livelihoods including agriculture apart from negative implications on culture. It is quite surprising that, while dams are being decommissioned, environmental flows (not in the line, dominant thinking in India i.e. allowing about 15% of to flow in the river as environmental flow and abstracting others for economic use) and living (and undammed) rivers are becoming symbols of future river management elsewhere in the World, our decision makers are tirelessly defending the failed paradigms.
A river lives when it flows. It has to flow to remain live. By flowing a river
o flushes its channels (doesn’t allow sedimentation and rising of river beds),
o recharge sub-surface water (there is a saying that below every river, another sub-surface river runs),
o supports aquatic fauna including fisheries and livelihoods around them
o support riparian habitats through river-bank livelihoods
o creates delta/flood plains (through overflowing and spreading silt)
People living in Mahanadi delta don’t require to be told about its dwindling flows, increased sedimentation of the river bed, increasing flood damages, increasing threats of saline ingression and change in tidal patterns, reduction of aquatic biodiversity and fish catches so on and so forth. In stead of substantiating allocation to industry by making such statements about how much water is draining unused to sea, what is required is instituting scientific investigations into these changes, which unless taken up now, can lead us to points of no return, the way our industrial development ambitions are expanding.
There is also another statistical dimension to these figures quoted by our Ministers, which requires closer scrutiny. While Industries minister says 67% of Mahanadi water (Is it total Mahanadi water?) flowing to sea unused, Agriculture Minister says 66% of Water from Jobra (others going to Taldanda and Machhgaon) canal flows to the sea. These two statements are not same, as one tells about whole Mahanadi without reference to any points and another point to allocations at Jobra. Civil society must also know the sources of these data and methodology followed to triangulate the figures.
There are many figures floating around concerning water allocation to industries. While they could be true as per the agreements signed with WRD, exact amount taken is often difficult to know with allegations about higher withdrawal. This is due to the fact that most of the industries are drawing water from reservoir or barrage directly in contrast to agriculture which is provided through canals (canal allocation can be easily verified from daily flow in cusec/cumec from canal head). Therefore it is very important to have regulatory mechanism in place to monitor extraction by industry or simply putting a ban on their extraction from reservoir/barrage and asking them to take through other sources. After all, no major reservoir and barrage was ever constructed out of public money with an objective to allocating water to profit-making private concerns.
In the allocation debate, often a critical issue like ‘pollution’ of rivers by industry get lost. It must be kept in mind, Industry not only take good water in bulk from best sources, but also put its worst water back into our lifelines. We must not forget that the first ever ‘environmental movement’ in Orissa was fought around this very issue way back in 1950s by l ate Sradhakar Supker, who had filed a petition before court to save river IB and Mahanadi from pollution caused by Orient Paper Mill of Brajaraj Nagar, even before Hirakud Dam was built.
Civil society must rise to engage itself more closely, critically and also strategically in this whole debate about water allocations and use – be it prioritization through policy, execution through agreements or monitoring and regulation.
News Links
Orissa defends water supplies to industries
Says 67 percent of Mahanadi water flows into the sea as there is no user
PTI | Bhubaneswar | August 05 2010
http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/orissa-defends-water-supplies-industries
Agriculture Minister bats for industries
Express News Service
First Published : 04 Aug 2010 05:14:47 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Aug 2010 12:12:44 PM IST
http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/agriculture-minister-bats-for-industries/195367.html
Sunday, August 1, 2010
MBA for Mahanadi Commission
Formation of Mahanadi Commission demanded
Special Correspondent
Mahanadi Bachao Andolan submits memorandum to Governor listing its demands
The river is helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they say
State's decision to allow companies to draw water opposed
BHUBANESWAR: The Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, a Cuttack-based people's organisation opposing diversion of water from river Mahanadi to various industries, on Saturday urged Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare to constitute a Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the existing condition of the river and the Hirakud Dam.
A delegation headed by Convener of the Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan here and submitted a memorandum listing their demands.
The Commission, which should be an independent body with necessary powers, should be asked to come out with details on the method of water conservation, distribution, power generation, irrigation, drinking water and existing level of ground water including the steps to arrest the decay of the river and the dam, the Andolan said in its memorandum.
Pending the findings of the Commission, all the agreements signed by the State Government with various industrial houses to draw water from Mahanadi and Hirakud dam, and barrages at Jobra and Naraj should be cancelled with immediate effect, the Andolan demanded.
Apart from Mr. Hota, other members of the delegation include former Ministers Bijoy Mohapatra, Panchanan Kanungo and Sameer Dey, former Member of Parliament Narendra Pradhan, former legislator Umesh Swain and BJP leader Dillip Mallick.
They submitted that mindless exploitation and abuse of Mahanadi, the State's prime river, should be forthwith to save the State from a socio-economic disaster.
The river had an imposing presence in 15 of the State's 30 districts through its various tributaries and distributaries helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they said.
Apart from maintaining a steady ground water level in the areas of her presence, the river also contributes to various other economic activities, they added.
They opposed the State Government's decisions to allow many companies to draw water from the river saying that there was no surplus water at a time when there was not much for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Special Correspondent
Mahanadi Bachao Andolan submits memorandum to Governor listing its demands
The river is helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they say
State's decision to allow companies to draw water opposed
BHUBANESWAR: The Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, a Cuttack-based people's organisation opposing diversion of water from river Mahanadi to various industries, on Saturday urged Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare to constitute a Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the existing condition of the river and the Hirakud Dam.
A delegation headed by Convener of the Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan here and submitted a memorandum listing their demands.
The Commission, which should be an independent body with necessary powers, should be asked to come out with details on the method of water conservation, distribution, power generation, irrigation, drinking water and existing level of ground water including the steps to arrest the decay of the river and the dam, the Andolan said in its memorandum.
Pending the findings of the Commission, all the agreements signed by the State Government with various industrial houses to draw water from Mahanadi and Hirakud dam, and barrages at Jobra and Naraj should be cancelled with immediate effect, the Andolan demanded.
Apart from Mr. Hota, other members of the delegation include former Ministers Bijoy Mohapatra, Panchanan Kanungo and Sameer Dey, former Member of Parliament Narendra Pradhan, former legislator Umesh Swain and BJP leader Dillip Mallick.
They submitted that mindless exploitation and abuse of Mahanadi, the State's prime river, should be forthwith to save the State from a socio-economic disaster.
The river had an imposing presence in 15 of the State's 30 districts through its various tributaries and distributaries helping over two crore people in irrigating their land, they said.
Apart from maintaining a steady ground water level in the areas of her presence, the river also contributes to various other economic activities, they added.
They opposed the State Government's decisions to allow many companies to draw water from the river saying that there was no surplus water at a time when there was not much for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan appeals the Governor
Governor''s intervention sought for setting up river panel
PTI
Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 (PTI) Intensifying the campaign against supply of river water to industries, a group of agitators have sought the Orissa Governor's intervention for formation of Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the river's health before diverting water.In a memorandum to Governor M C Bhandare, protesters under the banner of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) said immediate steps must be taken for constitution of Mahanadi river commission to study the status of availability of water for various purposes as also the health of Hirakud dam.Describing Mahanadi as the chief source of water for agriculture and irrigation, the memorandum said the proposed commission should suggest steps to check decay of the river and Hirakud reservoir as well as efficient water management.Pending the findings of the panel, all agreements signed by Orissa government with various industries to draw water from Mahanadi, Hirakud reservoir, Jobra and Naraj barrages should be cancelled with immediate effect, it said.The memorandum, signed among others by MBA convenor Gouranga Charan Hota and former ministers Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and Panchanan Kanungo, said the state should ensure water for irrigation to farmers in tail-end areas of Mahanadi river system and various canals before diverting water for industrial use.
PTI
Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 (PTI) Intensifying the campaign against supply of river water to industries, a group of agitators have sought the Orissa Governor's intervention for formation of Mahanadi Commission to conduct a detailed survey on the river's health before diverting water.In a memorandum to Governor M C Bhandare, protesters under the banner of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) said immediate steps must be taken for constitution of Mahanadi river commission to study the status of availability of water for various purposes as also the health of Hirakud dam.Describing Mahanadi as the chief source of water for agriculture and irrigation, the memorandum said the proposed commission should suggest steps to check decay of the river and Hirakud reservoir as well as efficient water management.Pending the findings of the panel, all agreements signed by Orissa government with various industries to draw water from Mahanadi, Hirakud reservoir, Jobra and Naraj barrages should be cancelled with immediate effect, it said.The memorandum, signed among others by MBA convenor Gouranga Charan Hota and former ministers Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and Panchanan Kanungo, said the state should ensure water for irrigation to farmers in tail-end areas of Mahanadi river system and various canals before diverting water for industrial use.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Dear All,
The problem of Baitarani is a shade worse than Mahanadi. There are three 'Iron ore Slurry Transportation' industries, all taking water from upper baitarani basin. Another few are in the offing.
75% of slurry is water by weight. All that water will simply turn up at the destination at Paradip (Essar),or Kalinga Nagar (BRPL), or at Angul (Jindal). Additional water is also drawn for beneficiation (mainly washing), whose slime is planned for release to the river bed, aggravating the silting problem of Kanupur Irrigation Project,
Our repeated request to WR deptt to take us to confidence and explain the logic and arithmatics of allocation of water to all users including Industry. Anandpur barrage is planned to irrigate 53800 Ha of land in Bhadrak and balasore district, right up to Budhabalang basin. Kanupur is designed to give 48000 Ha of irrigation in Upper Baitarani basin.
The silence of the WR is ominous because either they just donot know or, have surrendered to pressure from higher ups. The Citizens fear of a desert land in Kendujhar is simply being acceleraed.
On Mahanadi, our view is, if 70% waer is surplus flowing into the sea, why are,nt they take it just before the flow in to the sea. Why take it from Zobra, and not from the mouth of the river.
Kiran Sankar Sahu
President, Kendujhar Citizens' Forum
The problem of Baitarani is a shade worse than Mahanadi. There are three 'Iron ore Slurry Transportation' industries, all taking water from upper baitarani basin. Another few are in the offing.
75% of slurry is water by weight. All that water will simply turn up at the destination at Paradip (Essar),or Kalinga Nagar (BRPL), or at Angul (Jindal). Additional water is also drawn for beneficiation (mainly washing), whose slime is planned for release to the river bed, aggravating the silting problem of Kanupur Irrigation Project,
Our repeated request to WR deptt to take us to confidence and explain the logic and arithmatics of allocation of water to all users including Industry. Anandpur barrage is planned to irrigate 53800 Ha of land in Bhadrak and balasore district, right up to Budhabalang basin. Kanupur is designed to give 48000 Ha of irrigation in Upper Baitarani basin.
The silence of the WR is ominous because either they just donot know or, have surrendered to pressure from higher ups. The Citizens fear of a desert land in Kendujhar is simply being acceleraed.
On Mahanadi, our view is, if 70% waer is surplus flowing into the sea, why are,nt they take it just before the flow in to the sea. Why take it from Zobra, and not from the mouth of the river.
Kiran Sankar Sahu
President, Kendujhar Citizens' Forum
Pressure mounts on Naveen to stop water supply to industries from Mahanadi
Pressure mounts on Naveen to stop water supply to industries from Mahanadi
18 Jul 2010, 2318 hrs IST,Nageshwar Patnaik,ET Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The Naveen Patnaik government has come under pressure to discontinue water supply to industries from Mahanadi River and form Water Commission to study water availability in the state's largest river.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, a newly formed forum comprising leaders of various political parties and social activists, on Sunday called upon the state government to discontinue water supply from Mahanadi to industrial houses failing which it would launch a vigorous protest campaign across the state.
"Mahanadi River is the lifeline of Orissa. The Hirakud dam, Naraj and Jobra barrages were constructed over it basically to cater to the irrigation and drinking water requirements. However, the present government is deliberately allowing the industrial houses from to draw water from these places at the cost of the farmers," said senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra.
Stating that water from Jobra barrage could not be supplied to farmers during the kharif season last year because of inadequate availability of the resource, Mr Mohapatra said the situation in coastal Orissa could somehow be saved after 3000 cusecs of water was released from Hirakud dam between September 30 and October 30.
Hirakud dam, which was constructed half a century ago, has lost its live storage capacity due to siltation and construction of nearly 30 dams and barrages in Chhattishgarh. Hydro-power generated from the dam has also come down from 240 mw to 90 mw due to inadequate water availability.
"When the water flow has gone down drastically to the dam, the government is committing water from it to heavy power and metal industries. Farmers are committing suicide due to lack of water. No sane and civilised government can act like this," Mr Mohapatra said.
The BJP leader called upon the state government to constitute a water commission on the lines of other state governments to study the water availability in the Mahanadi system. "Let the state government constitute a water commission. Until then water supply to all industries should be stopped forthwith," Mr Mohapatra said.
Congress leader Umesh Swain, who is also an active member of the forum, said a sitting high court justice should head the commission.
Samrudha Odisha leader Panchanan Kanungo, social workers Prabhat Mishra and Mahanadi Banchao Andolan convenor Hota, who were present in the press meet, said the forum would intensify its agitation against the state government if the later did not scrap all its water supply commitments to industrial houses.
The forum would meet on Thursday to decide its next course of action, convenor Mr Rout informed.
18 Jul 2010, 2318 hrs IST,Nageshwar Patnaik,ET Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The Naveen Patnaik government has come under pressure to discontinue water supply to industries from Mahanadi River and form Water Commission to study water availability in the state's largest river.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, a newly formed forum comprising leaders of various political parties and social activists, on Sunday called upon the state government to discontinue water supply from Mahanadi to industrial houses failing which it would launch a vigorous protest campaign across the state.
"Mahanadi River is the lifeline of Orissa. The Hirakud dam, Naraj and Jobra barrages were constructed over it basically to cater to the irrigation and drinking water requirements. However, the present government is deliberately allowing the industrial houses from to draw water from these places at the cost of the farmers," said senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra.
Stating that water from Jobra barrage could not be supplied to farmers during the kharif season last year because of inadequate availability of the resource, Mr Mohapatra said the situation in coastal Orissa could somehow be saved after 3000 cusecs of water was released from Hirakud dam between September 30 and October 30.
Hirakud dam, which was constructed half a century ago, has lost its live storage capacity due to siltation and construction of nearly 30 dams and barrages in Chhattishgarh. Hydro-power generated from the dam has also come down from 240 mw to 90 mw due to inadequate water availability.
"When the water flow has gone down drastically to the dam, the government is committing water from it to heavy power and metal industries. Farmers are committing suicide due to lack of water. No sane and civilised government can act like this," Mr Mohapatra said.
The BJP leader called upon the state government to constitute a water commission on the lines of other state governments to study the water availability in the Mahanadi system. "Let the state government constitute a water commission. Until then water supply to all industries should be stopped forthwith," Mr Mohapatra said.
Congress leader Umesh Swain, who is also an active member of the forum, said a sitting high court justice should head the commission.
Samrudha Odisha leader Panchanan Kanungo, social workers Prabhat Mishra and Mahanadi Banchao Andolan convenor Hota, who were present in the press meet, said the forum would intensify its agitation against the state government if the later did not scrap all its water supply commitments to industrial houses.
The forum would meet on Thursday to decide its next course of action, convenor Mr Rout informed.
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
MBA demands separate commission on Mahandi river
MBA demands separate commission on Mahandi river
Bhubaneswar, Jul 18 : The Mahanadi Bachao Andolon (MBA) today demanded a separate commission be constituted on the pattern of Kaveri Commission in Tamilnadu to study the Mahanadi river system and decide the availability of water for irrigation and industrial houses.
MBA is a new outfit agitating against the industrial houses drawing water from Mahanadi river.
Until the Commission was constituted, no water should be allotted to the industrial units across the state from Mahanadi river, Hirakud reservoir and canal system, MBA Convenor G C Hota and and former Minister Bijaya Mohapatra said.
Addressing newspersons here, Mr Mohapatra criticised the Naveen Patnaik government for allowing several industrial houses to draw the water from Mahanadi completely ignoring the adverse impact it would have on the farmers community largely depended upon the river for agriculture.
He said the Mahanadi river is drying up and the water level at various points has decreased alarmingly as the 23,000 kms catchments areas of Hirakud reservoir has been intercepted by the Chhatisgarh governemnt which has by now already constructed nearly 30 check dams both minor and major to draw water.
The water capacity of the reservoir over the years had also decreased due to heavy siltation, Mr Mohapatra said, adding that over drawing of water by the industrial houses would further complicate the situation affecting the livelihood of lakhs of farmers.
Mr Mohapatra said the state government should find out alternative source of water while signing MoU with the industrial houses instead of allowing the companies to draw water from Mahanadi river.
He said as many as half of the districts in Orissa covered by the Mahanadi basin had already been affected due to shrinkage of water level of the river at various points.
The MBA leader said they would oppose the state government's move to provide water from Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels on the ground that it would have serious impact on the agriculture in Coastal Orissa.
He said the MBA has organised a massive rally at Jobra on Friday last to lodge its strong protest against the decision of the state government to provide water from the Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels and from Naraj barage to Tata Steel without any study on the availability of water from these two barrage of the Mahanadi river system.
Bhubaneswar, Jul 18 : The Mahanadi Bachao Andolon (MBA) today demanded a separate commission be constituted on the pattern of Kaveri Commission in Tamilnadu to study the Mahanadi river system and decide the availability of water for irrigation and industrial houses.
MBA is a new outfit agitating against the industrial houses drawing water from Mahanadi river.
Until the Commission was constituted, no water should be allotted to the industrial units across the state from Mahanadi river, Hirakud reservoir and canal system, MBA Convenor G C Hota and and former Minister Bijaya Mohapatra said.
Addressing newspersons here, Mr Mohapatra criticised the Naveen Patnaik government for allowing several industrial houses to draw the water from Mahanadi completely ignoring the adverse impact it would have on the farmers community largely depended upon the river for agriculture.
He said the Mahanadi river is drying up and the water level at various points has decreased alarmingly as the 23,000 kms catchments areas of Hirakud reservoir has been intercepted by the Chhatisgarh governemnt which has by now already constructed nearly 30 check dams both minor and major to draw water.
The water capacity of the reservoir over the years had also decreased due to heavy siltation, Mr Mohapatra said, adding that over drawing of water by the industrial houses would further complicate the situation affecting the livelihood of lakhs of farmers.
Mr Mohapatra said the state government should find out alternative source of water while signing MoU with the industrial houses instead of allowing the companies to draw water from Mahanadi river.
He said as many as half of the districts in Orissa covered by the Mahanadi basin had already been affected due to shrinkage of water level of the river at various points.
The MBA leader said they would oppose the state government's move to provide water from Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels on the ground that it would have serious impact on the agriculture in Coastal Orissa.
He said the MBA has organised a massive rally at Jobra on Friday last to lodge its strong protest against the decision of the state government to provide water from the Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels and from Naraj barage to Tata Steel without any study on the availability of water from these two barrage of the Mahanadi river system.
Monday, April 26, 2010
GOO's attempt to Rationalize Water Allocation
Orissa Government restrict on use of water from river Brahmani, Baitarani
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar : The state government has imposed restriction on use of water of the river Brahmani and Baitarani for fresh industrial projects in the state.
This was decided at the Task Force meeting held on Friday to review the pace and advancement of various proposed power plants that are dependent on the two rivers.
As per the decision, no new industry will be supplied with water from Bramhani and Baitarini rivers. The Secretary of Water Resources expressed here that the Power plants who has not yet started construction of the plant after MOU will not be supplied with water. The MOUs will be cancelled and will be given chance to other companies . The water of the Dam will be utilised 30 % for Agriculture purpose, 10 % to Factories and 40 % is going to the sea.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar : The state government has imposed restriction on use of water of the river Brahmani and Baitarani for fresh industrial projects in the state.
This was decided at the Task Force meeting held on Friday to review the pace and advancement of various proposed power plants that are dependent on the two rivers.
As per the decision, no new industry will be supplied with water from Bramhani and Baitarini rivers. The Secretary of Water Resources expressed here that the Power plants who has not yet started construction of the plant after MOU will not be supplied with water. The MOUs will be cancelled and will be given chance to other companies . The water of the Dam will be utilised 30 % for Agriculture purpose, 10 % to Factories and 40 % is going to the sea.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Water availability to determine fate of new power projects
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar April 23, 2010, 0:44 IST
The Orissa government has made it clear that it would consider setting up of new power projects in the state if adequate water sources are available to support these ventures.
Leaving the onus on the project proponents to obtain permission for water use from the water resources department, the energy department has said it would take up scrutiny of new power generation proposals if they are equipped with this permission.
Sources said, the state envisages generation capacity of 50,000 Mw in the next few years (including the proposed expansion of NTPC) and for this, the water requirement is estimated at about 2000 Cusecs.
Besides, there are other issues like fly ash generation which is estimated in the range of 100 million tonne per annum (mtpa) and carbon emission to the tune of 250 million tonne per annum.
Pending concrete strategy to deal with these problems, the task force on power headed by the energy secretary today deferred its decision on ten new and expansion projects..
Availability of water for industrial projects has become a critical issue with the government deciding not to allow new power projects along river Brahmani, where most of these projects are concentrated because of its proximity to the Talcher coal belt.
Simultaneously, the allotment of water from river Baitarani is also being rationalised.
As a result, those projects whose fate now hinges on balance include the 1320Mw (Rs 6600 crore) power plant of NSL Nagapatanam Power Ltd, 1320 Mw (Rs 7355 crore) project of Utkal Power Ltd (IMFA group), 2640 Mw (Rs 13,200 crore) project of Sterlite Energy.
Similarly, K U Projects’ 1320 Mw (Rs 7260 crore), Arati Steel’s 1050 Mw (Rs 4860 crore), Madhucon’s 1320 Mw (Rs 5614 crore), Visaka Thermal’s 1050 Mw (Rs 5400 crore), Sree Metalicks’ 540 Mw (Rs 1928 crore), Konark Kranti Energy’s 110 Mw (Rs 430 crore) and Primo Power’s 60 mw (Rs 300 crore) projects have been pushed into uncertainty.
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar April 23, 2010, 0:44 IST
The Orissa government has made it clear that it would consider setting up of new power projects in the state if adequate water sources are available to support these ventures.
Leaving the onus on the project proponents to obtain permission for water use from the water resources department, the energy department has said it would take up scrutiny of new power generation proposals if they are equipped with this permission.
Sources said, the state envisages generation capacity of 50,000 Mw in the next few years (including the proposed expansion of NTPC) and for this, the water requirement is estimated at about 2000 Cusecs.
Besides, there are other issues like fly ash generation which is estimated in the range of 100 million tonne per annum (mtpa) and carbon emission to the tune of 250 million tonne per annum.
Pending concrete strategy to deal with these problems, the task force on power headed by the energy secretary today deferred its decision on ten new and expansion projects..
Availability of water for industrial projects has become a critical issue with the government deciding not to allow new power projects along river Brahmani, where most of these projects are concentrated because of its proximity to the Talcher coal belt.
Simultaneously, the allotment of water from river Baitarani is also being rationalised.
As a result, those projects whose fate now hinges on balance include the 1320Mw (Rs 6600 crore) power plant of NSL Nagapatanam Power Ltd, 1320 Mw (Rs 7355 crore) project of Utkal Power Ltd (IMFA group), 2640 Mw (Rs 13,200 crore) project of Sterlite Energy.
Similarly, K U Projects’ 1320 Mw (Rs 7260 crore), Arati Steel’s 1050 Mw (Rs 4860 crore), Madhucon’s 1320 Mw (Rs 5614 crore), Visaka Thermal’s 1050 Mw (Rs 5400 crore), Sree Metalicks’ 540 Mw (Rs 1928 crore), Konark Kranti Energy’s 110 Mw (Rs 430 crore) and Primo Power’s 60 mw (Rs 300 crore) projects have been pushed into uncertainty.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Mineral conservation projects face water hurdle
A mainstream media interpretation
Mineral conservation projects face water hurdle
Bishnu Dash / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar April 02, 2010, 0:29 IST
The non-availability of enough water and consequent delay in obtaining water drawal clearance from the government is causing delay in the approval of projects in the state. Along with the greenfield power projects, other mineral extraction and value addition projects have become a casualty of this situation.
Two iron ore pelletisation projects with a combined investment of Rs 315 crore have been pushed into uncertainty as the water clearance for these projects is yet to come. Under ideal conditions, the permission was expected within 15 days of the application.
Similarly, the water resources department is yet to take action on construction of reservoirs to provide water to industrial projects even though the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) chaired by the chief minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the department to initiate measures in this direction.
Official sources said, the proposal of Ardent Steels Ltd (ASL) to expand its present capacity of iron ore pelletisation from 0.6 million tonne per annum (mtpa) to 1.2 mtpa, along with setting up of a 1mtpa iron ore beneficiation plant, at Phuljhar in Keonjhar district couldn’t be approved by the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) due to this reason.
The proposal of Kashvi International Ltd (KIL) to set up 0.3 mtpa iron ore pellet plant at Champadihi (Barbil) in the district of Keonjhar at an investment of Rs 56.21 crore has also been hit.
Though the state nodal agency for promotion of industry, the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Ltd (Ipicol) had written to water resources department to send its views on availability of the required amount of water from river Baitarani, it is yet to receive the views of the department on the matter.
It may be noted, both the projects were to source water from river Baitarani. These projects are facing problems despite the fact that their water requirement is nominal and iron ore beneficiation and pelletisation projects are considered as mineral conservation projects.
On the other hand, Rs 850 crore investment proposal of Emami Paper Mills Ltd (EPML) to set up a wood based pulp and paper mill with a capacity of 1 lakh tonne per annum near Balgopalpur in Balasore has been pushed to the cold storage essentially due to non-availability of water.
Though the project requires 60,000 cubic metre per day from river Subernarekha, the formal clearance of water resources department is awaited. “The non-availability of water has become a major issue for clearing new projects. Unless concerted effort is made to address the problem, this would a major irritant for soliciting new investment”, a senior official associated with the process said.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mineral-conservation-projects-face-water-hurdle/390489/
Mineral conservation projects face water hurdle
Bishnu Dash / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar April 02, 2010, 0:29 IST
The non-availability of enough water and consequent delay in obtaining water drawal clearance from the government is causing delay in the approval of projects in the state. Along with the greenfield power projects, other mineral extraction and value addition projects have become a casualty of this situation.
Two iron ore pelletisation projects with a combined investment of Rs 315 crore have been pushed into uncertainty as the water clearance for these projects is yet to come. Under ideal conditions, the permission was expected within 15 days of the application.
Similarly, the water resources department is yet to take action on construction of reservoirs to provide water to industrial projects even though the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) chaired by the chief minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the department to initiate measures in this direction.
Official sources said, the proposal of Ardent Steels Ltd (ASL) to expand its present capacity of iron ore pelletisation from 0.6 million tonne per annum (mtpa) to 1.2 mtpa, along with setting up of a 1mtpa iron ore beneficiation plant, at Phuljhar in Keonjhar district couldn’t be approved by the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) due to this reason.
The proposal of Kashvi International Ltd (KIL) to set up 0.3 mtpa iron ore pellet plant at Champadihi (Barbil) in the district of Keonjhar at an investment of Rs 56.21 crore has also been hit.
Though the state nodal agency for promotion of industry, the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Ltd (Ipicol) had written to water resources department to send its views on availability of the required amount of water from river Baitarani, it is yet to receive the views of the department on the matter.
It may be noted, both the projects were to source water from river Baitarani. These projects are facing problems despite the fact that their water requirement is nominal and iron ore beneficiation and pelletisation projects are considered as mineral conservation projects.
On the other hand, Rs 850 crore investment proposal of Emami Paper Mills Ltd (EPML) to set up a wood based pulp and paper mill with a capacity of 1 lakh tonne per annum near Balgopalpur in Balasore has been pushed to the cold storage essentially due to non-availability of water.
Though the project requires 60,000 cubic metre per day from river Subernarekha, the formal clearance of water resources department is awaited. “The non-availability of water has become a major issue for clearing new projects. Unless concerted effort is made to address the problem, this would a major irritant for soliciting new investment”, a senior official associated with the process said.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mineral-conservation-projects-face-water-hurdle/390489/
Saturday, November 17, 2007
17 Nov, 2007, 0000 hrs IST,
BHUBANESWAR: Global steel leader Arcelor-Mittal, which proposes to set up a 12 mtpa plant in Orissa, on Friday said it will harvest rain water and use technology that consumes least quantity of 'H2O' to reduce pressure on the natural resource. "We are consulting international experts in the field on how to meet the challenges ahead", member of Arcelor-Mittal's group management board Malay Mukherjee told reporters, admitting water was a major problem for industries in Orissa. .................... "We too do not want to take a farmer's share of water. Therefore, the company has planned to make its own arrangement in the plant premises", he said, adding that water harvesting was one of the key options the company would like to exercise. However, a permanent solution would be using technology that requires least water for steel making and research was on for recycling the water in order to minimise the requirement. Full Story |
All of the major water users from our basin
Seeing this helps to explain why so much water is released from Lanier each day. The water from there needs to feed all of those places and still be at 5,000 cfs (3.2 billion gallons/day) when it is in Florida.
However, there are many small creeks and rivers that feed into the river to help reach the 5,000 cfs flow. The problem is that all of those rivers are running below normal, which means they have to drain even more water from Lanier to help make up for it.
The 16% reduction that may or may not happen starting today would be a reduction in that 5,000 cfs mandate, lowering it 4200 cfs. This would mean that the releases from Lanier could be reduced a bit, though they might see a slow increase after that to compensate for less and less help from the other rivers feeding into the Chattahoochee.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Basin panel prepares NYC Delaware River reservoir rule-making
| |
To better balance of competing
uses and needs
WEST TRENTON, N.J. n Basin officials are preparing rules to help manage New York City’s three Delaware River reservoirs.
The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at its Sept. 26 meeting directed staff to begin the public rulemaking process to implement an amended Flexible Flow Management Program for operation of the three New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs.
| |
Full story
Ariz. fights changes in Colo. River plan
Shaun McKinnon
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 4, 2007 12:00 AM
In a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and the other six states that take water from the Colorado River, Arizona officials said attempts to rewrite an agreement reached earlier this year put Arizona's share of the river at an unacceptable risk.
"We worked hard to try to put together this agreement, and the only thing Arizona asked is that it did not harm Arizona water users," said Herb Guenther, director of the state Department of Water Resources.
Full Story
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The inside scope on Montana Water Laws and HB831
Water in the West: The State of Montana’s Hydro-Future
By Rep. JP Pomnichowski, Guest Writer, 10-01-07
Editor’s Note: As we all know in Montana, water is a precious resource, particularly in areas of rapid development and growth. The following column is written by one of the authors of House Bill 831, which assisted in closing water basins in areas that water availability closely matches water demand. She describes the history of water laws in Montana and how HB831 revised these laws in order to construct a viable future.
Montana epitomizes the West. It is a land of vast and open spaces, dramatic mountain ranges, blue-ribbon trout streams, wildlife habitat, ranches and Western towns, herds of livestock, mighty rolling rivers; it’s Big Sky Country. And it’s easy to forget the basis upon which Montana has built its success--its lifeblood, water.
In Montana, the crucial role of water has been tested by energy development, urban development, agriculture, wildlife and wildlife habitat, and recreation. Every feature of Montana is affected by water.
The state recognizes water rights for many beneficial uses, and water is so precious that our constitution declares that all waters of the state are the property of the state for the use of its people. We’ve recognized that water is precious since before the state’s inception, and there are laws against wasting water, the first passed in 1873. Water rights have been claimed in the region simply by putting water to beneficial use from the time when the area was a Territory, before statehood was granted in 1889.
With water rights sometimes a century old or older, Montana water law recognizes the first-come, first-served prioritization of water rights. It’s called the prior appropriation doctrine, which honors ‘first in time, first in right’ water claims.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)