Report by Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board on muck disposal and management in Tapovan-Vishnugad Hydroelectric Project
Action taken report by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board in the matter of Gram Pradhan and Residents of Tapovan Vs State of Uttarakhand. The report was in pursuance to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of January 2, 2020 on muck disposal and management in Tapovan-Vishnugad Hydroelectric Project of National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., Uttarakhand.
In Tapovan-Vishnugad Hydroelectric Power Project, two muck disposal sites at Dhak and TBM are active. Dhak muck disposal site was active but it was near completion. Downstream slope of dumped material was prone to severe erosion during high intensity rainfall event. Dump surface was mostly uneven and undulating with dominance of boulder, rock fragments and inert material. Further, the site was not fully utilized to its capacity as usable part of muck generated might have been used in construction.
The muck disposal near TBM was active and dumping of the muck material being generated in tunnelling was going on. Upstream side of the muck dump was subjected to the entry of water which could further trigger mass erosion. In addition to the two active muck disposal sites, there are three completed muck disposal sites.
These sites are moderately stabilized and native grass and shrubs provide a little bit of vegetation cover. Toe protection and contour stone walls were constructed but some of them were damaged or overturned. The committee recommended that toe/contour stone wall in each of the muck dump should be strengthened and constructed with proper engineering design.
Note: Uploaded to the NGT site on June 15, 2020