The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Himachal Pradesh): The 25-megawatt Lambadug hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh experienced significant leakage during its test phase, causing extensive damage to property in Multhan village, Kangra district. This was reported by an independent fact-finding team of environmentalists from the Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective.
The three-member team visited the affected area last Saturday to gather testimonies and document the damage. They found that the leakage from the project’s penstock, which occurred on May 10, resulted in gushing muddy water that impacted around 80 families in the village. Consequently, the team has called for a complete moratorium on new hydro projects with a capacity of 25 MW and above.
Furthermore, the team recommended conducting a safety audit of all existing operational hydropower and mega projects in the state. The Lambadug project, constructed on the Lambadug river, is one of 40 projects at various stages of commissioning, construction, and planning on the Beas river and its tributaries. Nineteen of these projects have a capacity of 25 MW or more and involve significant underground and surface excavation.
The project, executed by Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited, had previously suffered a minor leakage during testing. However, authorities had assured the public that the project would only become operational after ensuring all safety measures were in place. Despite these assurances, the May 10 incident caused extensive damage, affecting nearly a 300-meter stretch of Multhan market and approximately 4 hectares of farmland. Foundations and lower stories of structures in the affected area were found covered in six feet of muck.
The team reported that water leakage continues despite claims from project authorities that the reservoir had been completely drained. Water is still leaking from near the pressure shaft and the penstock below the forebay.