Multiple high tension power transmission lines passing through some of the state’s eco-sensitive zones, involving felling of trees, and criss-crossing mountain valleys in Himachal Pradesh, could finally give way to separate “power corridors” for each river basin. An expert team set up by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCL), which had paid a visit to the state’s tribal belt of Lahual-Spiti and Kinnaur during the last 10 days, has reportedly supported the state government’s proposal for separate power corridors for all river basins like Chandra-Bhaga (Chinab) and Satluj. The team, which was in Shimla recently, met Principal Secretary (Power) Deepak Sanan — also the in-charge of forest and environment department — and discussed the matter. The Chander-Bhaga project alone is set to generate nearly 3,500 MW of power in the next few years. But the evacuation of the power would pose a big challenge in view of the geographical conditions — the area remains under snow for seven months. The team is learnt to have found possibilities of evacuating at least 2,000 MW of power towards Jammu and Kashmir. The rest will be wheeled to a corridor proposed for Satluj basins. Similar basins may also be developed separately. The team is expected to submit a report in this regard to the CEA next month. Recently, the Himachal government had not only faced serious criticism but was also questioned by the state high court regarding its sanction to a 230-km-long power transmission line to Jaypee Group, which resulted in the felling of over 14,000 trees. The transmission line was required for the evacuation of power from the newly commissioned 1,200 MW Karcham Wangtoo hydel project on Satluj. Similarly, more than 100 hydel projects coming up in Lahual-Spiti, Kinnaur and Kullu districts have also been allowed to lay transmission lines for power evacuation, resulting in felling of several lakhs of trees. “There is no need to allow each and every project a separate transmission line. Why can’t there be a power corridor for every basin? This is an idea the government is pushing very seriously with the CEA and PGCL. Now, since the team has already returned after conducting its survey, central agencies like CEA should take an early decision,” said Sanan. “While transmission line for Jaypee Group has been allowed in thickly-wooded forests on the left bank of the Satluj, the right bank is almost barren. Now, simply because of the lapses on the part of the forest department, more than 20,000 trees will face the axe,” said Congress MLA G S Bali. Forest officials admitted that had the transmission lines been recommended on other side of the river, the loss would have been just 10 per cent of the total estimated loss. The company opted for the left bank of the river, as the construction cost was higher on the right side — it was not connected to a road. The development of infrastructure like roads and bridges will escalate the cost of laying the lines by Rs 100 crore.