Amid drought, Maha may halt hydro plants to check water flowing into sea

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, September 6

Maharashtra is considering a complete stoppage of hydro-power generation in the state till the next monsoons to conserve water for drought-affected areas.

Sources said a final decision on stoppage of hydro-power generation was likely to be taken next week. As a first step, the administration would halt the release of water to generate power from the gigantic Koyna dam. This move is expected to save nearly 1,600 million cubic metres of water from flowing into the sea.

The government is also considering getting the Tata Power Company to shut down its three hydro-power stations located at Khopoli, Bhivpuri and Bhira, which would help save another 1,000 MCM of water till the next rains. However, getting the Tata Power Company to halt power generation would be problematic for the government as it would have to compensate the company.

Pressure is mounting on the Devendra Fadnavis government to conserve water from these dams as several regions in the state, particularly Marathwada and parts of Western Maharashtra, are facing drought. On Saturday, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar warned the state government that riots could break out in affected areas of the state if the administration failed to provide adequate drinking water for people and cattle.