Tehri dam work at standstill

By C. K. Chandramohan

TEHRI, APRIL 4. Work at the Tehri Dam project remained at a standstill for the fifth day today with the Chipko leader, Mr. Sunderlal Bahuguna, camping at Maldeo village and his supporters blocking the road to stop essential supplies to the work site. Former Congress MLA, Mr. Mantri Prasad Nainthani, is squatting on the left side of the inlets of tunnels three and four, seeking a proper rehabilitation package.

Repeated efforts by the District Magistrate or top officials of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) to persuade Mr. Bahuguna or Mr. Nainthani to give up the agitation and come for discussions have failed.

According to Mr. M.B.L. Aggarwal, executive director of THDC here, it had been decided to resolve the rehabilitation imbroglio on April 5. ``I hope the demonstrators will reach an amicable settlement on April 5 and the huge loss due to stoppage of work will end soon,'' he said.

Mr. Sunderlal Bahuguna, who has been crusading against the construction of the high rise dam, is now fighting for a proper rehabilitation package for the oustees along with his campaign to save the Ganga.

According to officials at the Rehabilitation Wing, the Centre had been urged to raise the compensation amount to Rs. 10 lakhs per acre.

Mrs. Shanti Chandola and others whose ancestral land and house will be submerged are adamant that they would not budge from Tehri till given alternative land in Dehra Dun or Hardwar districts. The menfolk however, say, they would accept the higher rate of compensation as and when announced. ``We will however, not allow further construction till the rehabilitation issue is cleared,'' said Mr. Manoj Thapliyal and his friends.

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