Renuka Dam oustees protest, allege exclusion from rehabilitation lists
Families facing displacement due to the upcoming Renuka multipurpose dam in Sirmaur staged a protest near the Giri river on Thursday, demanding fair resettlement and compensation. Raising slogans against the dam authorities, members of the Renuka Dam Jan Sangharsh Samiti accused the management of ignoring their demands for years, even as groundwork for the project advances.
The protest comes amid growing concern over the alleged exclusion of affected families from rehabilitation lists. According to the oustees, several families initially identified as homeless are being gradually removed. In a recent instance, nine families in the proposed diversion tunnel area were first recognised as affected, but the number was reduced to six and later to just two. Meanwhile, seven Nepalese families, who have reportedly cultivated the land for decades, now face an uncertain future.
Residents also alleged coercion, claiming they are being asked to submit affidavits stating they are vacating the land voluntarily. This, they fear, could be used to deny them eligibility for compensation and resettlement benefits.
People from Kheri, Siun, Mohtu and Rajana participated in the protest, voicing strong opposition to the rehabilitation process. The Samiti reiterated its demand for suitable land, rejecting previously identified sites as unfit for habitation.
The project, being executed by HP Power Corporation Limited, has awarded Package I to Patel Engineering Limited. The company will construct three diversion tunnels of 9.5-metre diameter, inlet and outlet structures, and about 6 km of access roads in the Dadahu area over a period of 30 months.
Authorities, however, sought to reassure the affected population. Vinay Kumar, who attended the recent bhoomi pujan ceremony, said displaced families would be given priority in employment. General Manager Arun Kapoor stated that cases of excluded families are under review and that the management is sensitive to their concerns.
The Renuka dam, to be built on the Giri river, a tributary of the Yamuna, is expected to impact nearly 7,000 people across 41 villages in 17 panchayats, with 1,408 families facing direct displacement. Despite the project being in discussion for nearly two decades, rehabilitation efforts remain incomplete.
The foundation stone for the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 27, 2021. Estimated to cost Rs 6,947 crore, with 90 per cent central funding, the dam is aimed at addressing water shortages in the National Capital Region. The Sangharsh Samiti has warned of intensifying its agitation if its demands are not met soon.
