NTPC aims big in hydel power

Chamoli (Uttarakhand), Nov. 22: State-owned NTPC is diversifying into hydro power and has set a target of 9,000MW capacity by 2017.

The thermal power producer will generate over 2,000MW hydroelectricity from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

“The 520MW Tapovan Vishnugad (Uttarakhand) plan is expected to be commissioned by December 2011, six months ahead of schedule and can become NTPC’s first hydel project to take off,” K.K. Singh, general manager of the Rs 3,000-crore Tapovan Vishnugad project, told reporters.

Senior company officials said NTPC diversified into hydel power to become an integrated energy utility.

“We have developed core competence in thermal projects and hence, in the past, were focussing entirely on coal and gas-based projects. There is a possibility of coal and gas shortages in the future and we are now trying to become an integrated energy utility with a diversified fuel mix,” officials said.

NTPC’s proposed hydro-power generation is higher than National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd’s (NHPC) installed capacity of 5,175 MW from 13 stations.

NHPC is setting up 11 projects for an installed capacity of 4,622MW.

“Big hydro projects in India have faced a lot of problems in the past. That is why we want to expand our hydro footprint through small projects. We are using tunnel boring machine in the 520MW Tapovan Vishnugad project that is a first-of-its kind technology in India,” Singh said.

“We are involving locals in the power project and have provided jobs to all people affected. The use of tunnel boring machine has less environmental impact compared to drill and blast,” the NTPC official said.

NTPC is building four hydro power projects in Uttarakhand — 520MW Tapovan Vishnugad, 600MW Loharinag Pala, 171MW Lata Tapovan and 261MW Rupsia Bhagar Bara. The 800MW Koldam project in Himachal Pradesh will be operational by 2017.

Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091123/jsp/business/story_11773819.jsp

World Bank Loan for Water Supply

The World Bank has extended loans to the States of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Kerala for implementing rural water supply projects. During the last three years, loans have been taken by Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Punjab. The amounts disbursed by the World Bank and utilized by these States is as follows:

	State	Amount Disbursed and Utilized (In Us dollars)
1	Kerala	61.15 million
2	Karnataka	148.30 million
3	Maharashtra	201.00 million
4	Uttarakhand	22.39 million
5	Punjab	19.80 millio

The project of Andhra Pradesh has been approved by the World Bank only in September 2009 and implementation has not yet commenced, hence no amount has been utilized.

NGOs and private institutions are involved in these projects for monitoring, capacity building of all stakeholders, dissemination of information, etc. The same role has also been envisaged in the project of Andhra Pradesh.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development, Ms. Agatha Sangma informed the Lok Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=54435

SAP implementation only after amendment in Par: U'khand govt

Dehra Dun: After the Central decision to restore State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane, the Uttarakhand government today said it would wait for an amendment in Parliament in this regard.

"We will wait till Parliament amends the recent ordinance on sugarcane which has put the burden of SAP on state government," Sugarcane minister Madan Kaushik said.

The moment the ordinance is amended in Parliament, the government would take no time to declare the SAP, he said.

Kaushik also indicated that the new crushing season would begin after the declaration of SAP.

Sugarcane farmers are up in arms in the state demanding "right" price for their produce.

Missing Uttarakhand policeman found

Dehradun, Nov 21 (PTI) A policeman who went missing from here over two weeks back has been traced to an ashram in Rishikesh and brought back.

Trainee sub-inspector Bhaskar Thapaliyal had gone missing on November 4 after he informed his seniors that he was feeling unwell and unable to attend duty.

Uttarakhand police was looking for Thapaliyal and found him at an ashram in Rishikesh yesterday, police sources said, adding he was brought back last night.

The 28-year-old was looking mentally disturbed, they said. He told police that he had gone to Rishikesh to become a saint.

SSP Abhinav Kumar said Thapaliyal had been suspended and was being questioned.

Security beefed up in Har Ki Pauri ahead of Maha Kumbh Mela

Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Nov 20(ANI): Security has been beefed up at Har Ki Pauri, a sacred ghat on the banks of river Ganges, ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela.

During the ‘Maha Kumbh Mela, Har Ki Pauri will be one of the main sites where pilgrims will converge to take dip in the holy river Ganges to wash away their sins.

Slated for January 2010, the festival is celebrated once in every 12 years and some 10 million people are expected to converge at Haridwar.

Sensing the importance of the ghat, elaborate security arrangements have been put into place so as to prevent any untoward incident.

Kailesh Keshwani, president of a local business association, said that locals must be made aware about the security threat at Har Ki Pauri.

“If they can create awareness among the local people and take out the fear out of them, if the local can provide any information regarding any terrorist then it would be a great help to the security officials. I feel that the local people should be made aware about the security of Kumbh Mela,” Keshwani said.

Uma Kant Panwar, Commissioner of Police, Garhwal region, said that in the wake of the recent developments like the David Coleman Headley case, a terror suspect in 26/11 Mumbai attack, they are doing everything to tackle any possible threat.

He also said that security arrangements have been put into place in coordination with the neighbouring states.

“See as far as we can anticipate any danger, we are doing everything and if any new incident come to the fore like the recent Headley case, which has come to fore only 10 days back. So, we are doing everything necessary to tackle any new situation. As far as we can anticipate with our information, we are prepared,” Panwar said.

Mehant Garn Dass, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, said that the security arrangements at the ghat are satisfying.

“There is no lack in the security arrangement here. The security police for the mela (Kumbh Mela) are performing their duty quite efficiently and they keep patrolling the area,” said Dass. (ANI)

NTPC buys insurance cover for an entire village

Chamoli (Uttarakhand), Nov. 16 Marking a first, power major NTPC Ltd has got an insurance cover for an entire village for five years against any disaster or mishap while carrying out work on a hydro-power project in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

The initiative, aimed at ensuring timely completion of the 520-MW run-of-the-river Tapovan Vishnugad project on the river Alaknanda, could set the trend for future hydel projects in the country. Most hydro-electric projects fall behind schedule on account of resistance from affected people in the vicinity of the project site.

“The only way forward in building hydro projects is to take the affected people on board. The insurance cover is a step in this direction,” Mr K. K. Singh, General Manager of the Tapovan Vishnugad project, said. The Rs 8.26-crore insurance policy from state-owned United India Insurance covers the 100-odd families of Selang village, which is close to the project site. In all, 164 structures are covered under the policy, which includes houses and even cow-sheds of the villagers, along with the Panchayat Bhavan, the local school and a temple. The cover is for five years starting from October 14 this year and can be renewed subsequently.

“The policy covers all risks, including the risk of damage to structures during construction. Besides, natural disasters including landslides are also part of the cover,” an NTPC official said. The Selang insurance cover is a test case, which can be replicated with the other affected villages as well, the official said. The Rs 3,000-crore Tapovan project is the first for the thermal power major, with NTPC advancing commissioning of the project by six months to ensure that the first unit comes on stream in the terminal year of the current Plan period.

The innovative ploy by NTPC to tackle resentment among project-affected people comes in the backdrop of the thermal major charting out an aggressive entry into the hydro sector. The company is working on a hydro capacity of over 2,300 MW in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Two of its initial hydro projects — the Koldam project in Himachal Pradesh and Loharinag Pala project in Uttarakhand — have fallen behind schedule on account of problems in civil construction and environmental activism.

“We are planning to bring the Tapovan project for benefits in the Eleventh Plan itself, making it the first hydel project to be commissioned by NTPC,” Mr Singh said. While NTPC had earlier conceived Tapovan Vishnugad as a merchant power project, the company is planning to convert it into a regular power project by entering into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with beneficiary states in the northern region.

NTPC is using a ‘Double-Shield’ Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) with precast concrete segmental lining to mitigate the challenge of difficult terrain and adverse Himalayan geological conditions. The project is designed for annual generation of 2,558.36 GWH and the beneficiaries will be Uttarakhand and the northern States.

Souce:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com

Uttarakhand seeking no objection from NHPC for Lakhwar Vyasi project

BS reported that the Uttarakhand government has urged the centre to ask NHPC to issue a no objection letter, which is needed for resuming the work of the 420 MW Lakhwar Vyasi multi purpose project.

Mr Shatrughan Singh principal secretary energy of Uttarakhand in a letter to Mr H S Bhrahma union power secretary said the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited which was allotted the project last year has agreed to pay to NHPC INR 43.184 crore that has been authenticated by the central power utility through its audited account.

Mr Singh said that “I would like to mention that for payment of additional sum of INR 29.888 crore, Central Electricity Authority may be made the sole arbitrator. If the CEA recommends payment of additional money, the same can be promptly paid by UJVNL.”

(Sourced from Business Standard)

Uttarakhand declares BTC merit list 2006

Uttarakhand Board has declared the merit list of Basic Teaching Certificate Entrance Exam 2006 and the same has been made available on official website of Uttarakhand. The BTC result 2006 can be accessed at http://gov.ua.nic.in/schooleducation/BTC%20Exam%202006/BTC-2006%20Marit%20List.htm.

The BTC result 2006 is available for the districts of Dehradun, Almora, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Tehri arhwal, U S Nagar, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Uttarakashi, Champawat and Rudraprayag.

Aspirants of the BTC 2006 can find the detailed merit list district wise and according to ranks.

Uttarakhand is ranked 3rd in education development and achievement, at elementry level, in India in a survey conducted in August 2006 by India Today. Education in the state of Uttarakhand has a sound background, right from the inception of the state. Department of education is running ahead and getting shape gradually.

add add * Security tightened around Doon, Woodstock schools

STAFF WRITER 17:53 HRS IST

Dehradun, Nov 19 (PTI) Security has been strengthened in two schools in Uttarakhand following threats by militants to blow them, official sources said today.

Jawans of Provincial Armed Constabulary have been posted at the city-based Doon School and Woodstock School located in Mussoorie.

A bunker has been built outside the Doon School and armed policemen posted there, official sources said adding that directions to install CCTVs also given.

Besides, policemen in plain clothes are keeping a close watch on the activities of people visiting the area.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, Abhinav Kumar said that security has been stepped up around these schools as a safety measure.

Notorious tiger poacher Totha Ram arrested

NEW DELHI: A notorious tiger poacher from Panipat, Birbal alias Totha Ram, was arrested on Wednesday in Banbasa at Champawat district of

Uttarakhand in a joint operation of the Uttarakhand police and forest department with assistance from the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).

Totha Ram, who is the leader of a bawaria poaching gang, was arrested along with a local associate. A tiger trap, another half-made trap, two deer antlers, knives and skinning tools, a net, two mobile phones and a motorcycle were recovered from them. Totha Ram has been arrested twice before - in May 2003 with poaching tools, and in August 2004 with a tiger skin (this was also a WPSI assisted case). He was out on bail from the 2004 case and is believed to have been camping in Banbasa with the intention of killing a tiger.

"We are delighted with this case, particularly since it appears that this poacher was caught just before he was able to kill a tiger. It is another example of how important it is to stop the activities of habitual poachers, who continue to carry out their illegal activities even while out on bail", said Belinda Wright, executive director of WPSI.

Totha Ram comes from a family of tiger poachers. His sister Dilpo was recently convicted to five years rigorous imprisonment by a court in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, for a 1992 tiger case. She had earlier been convicted in November 2005, by a court in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, for carrying the skin and bones of a tiger that was killed at Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in February 2005.

TOI

Fourth person dies due to swine flu in Uttarakhand

STAFF WRITER 17:35 HRS IST
Dehradun, Nov 19 (PTI) The dreaded swine flu today claimed one more life, taking the total deaths due to the disease in Uttarakhand to four.

Nodal Officer the state, Dr Pankaj Jain today told reporters that a student, Pranav Solanki studying in a local school was admitted to Himalayan Hospital few days back after suspecting swine flu and his blood samples were sent to Delhi.

According to blood report received yesterday, Solanki tested H1N1 positive and later when his parents were contacted, it came to light that he had died on November 9, Jain said.

He also said that prior to this, three persons including one women had died of swine flu and added that Solanki's parents too have been given medicines

Uttarakhand CM contemplating joint strategy of Himalayan states

Dehradun
Dehradun: After advocating a separate Central policy for Himalayan states, Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is contemplating to launch a joint strategy with them for the overall development of the region.

Nishank is planning to convene a conference of chief ministers of Himalayan states here shortly to discuss the issues of development, the economy and industrial activities.

Chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and other Northeastern states are expected to take part in the conference, dates for which would be announced later, an official spokesman said.

Nishank is also seeking from the Centre a special compensatory package for preserving natural wealth in the hill state as well as extension of the industrial package 2003 till 2020.

Experts said there should be a separate Central policy for hill states where a big mass of land comes under forest cover.

"Since we are preserving forests for the whole of the country, we must get special compensatory package," said a forest department official.

The government's estimate suggests that for preserving reserved forests, especially wildlife national parks, the state must get Rs1,000-1,500 crore annually as part of this compensatory package. The spokesman also reiterated the demand for an extension of the special industrial package till 2020 for Uttarakhand and said the state should get all the incentives which had been given to its north-eastern counterparts.

Recently, Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad favoured a separate policy for three Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Union minister of state for labour Harish Rawat has also agreed with Nishank that the special industrial package for Uttarakhand should be extended.

Rawat said he would launch efforts in this regard.

PTI

Uttarakhand to get Rs.400 crore for Kumbh Mela

The central government has released Rs.400 crore for preparations for the Kumbh Mela religious festival, to be held next year at Hardwar in Uttarakhand.

'We are happy to announce that the central government has released Rs.400 crore for the preparations,' Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said in his inaugural address at the India International Trade Fair here Saturday.

'Visitors to the Kumbh Mela are not in lakhs but in crores. So our government is doing everything to manage things smoothly. Preparation is on full swing and with this financial support we will be able to make this event a success,' Pokhriyal said.

The festival is scheduled to start Jan 14 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, considered an auspicious day on the Hindu calendar.

He also welcomed the move to make Uttarakhand the focus state at this year's trade fair, saying: 'This will give us an opportunity to showcase our resources and tourism opportunities to international and domestic tourists.'

Soruce:http://sify.com/

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IMA officials meet Uttarakhand police to review security

Dehra Dun: Officials of the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) on Thursday met Uttarakhand police brass to review the security of the institution in the wake of threat perception. IMA sources, however, described it as a routine meeting and said ever since intelligence reports have indicated that vital installations across the country, including IMA, are on target of terrorists, such meetings are being held regularly to review the security of the Academy.

The Academy produces officers for Indian Army and the Passing Out Parade of the winter batch is scheduled next month. Against the backdrop of American terror suspect David Headley's several visits to India, the Centre yesterday warned five states, including Uttarakhand, against terrorist attacks particularly targeting military training academies. The states alerted have been asked to coordinate with the army authorities as well as the administration of Indian Military Academy here and the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla about security arrangements.

Bureau Report

Two more medical college in the offing in Uttarakhand

STAFF WRITER 13:7 HRS IST

Dehradun, Nov 12 (PTI) After setting up its first medical college in the state last year, Uttarakhand government is now contemplating building two more such institutions at a cost of Rs 400 crores.

Under the proposal, a medical college will be set up in the capital city of Dehradun and the other in the hill resort of Almora in Kumaon region, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said.

A proposal for the college in Dehradun has already been submitted to the Medical Council of India (MCI).

The government last year set up its first medical college at Srinagar in Garhwal region which has already started functioning.

Nishank said the government is also mulling over the idea to take over the forest trust hospital in Haldwani.

With this, the total strength of government medical colleges in the state would go up to four.

IMA officials meet Uttarakhand police to review security

Dehra Dun: Officials of the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) on Thursday met Uttarakhand police brass to review the security of the institution in the wake of threat perception.

IMA sources, however, described it as a routine meeting and said ever since intelligence reports have indicated that vital installations across the country, including IMA, are on target of terrorists, such meetings are being held regularly to review the security of the Academy.


The Academy produces officers for Indian Army and the Passing Out Parade of the winter batch is scheduled next month.

Against the backdrop of American terror suspect David Headley's several visits to India, the Centre yesterday warned five states, including Uttarakhand, against terrorist attacks particularly targeting military training academies.

The states alerted have been asked to coordinate with the army authorities as well as the administration of Indian Military Academy here and the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla about security arrangements.

Soruce;http://www.zeenews.com/news578369.html

Uttarakhand women making paper bags to rid environment of polythene

Uttarakhand women making paper bags to rid environment of polythene
ANI

Haldwani, Nov 11: A group of women in the Haldwani region of Uttarakhand have launched a drive to root out the use of polythene bags by making eco-friendly paper bags.

An initiative of 'Pahal' (Initiative), a self help group, these women are making bags out of old newspapers, which are as sturdy as normal polythene bags.

"We at 'Pahal' had raised many issues related to environment and it is in this context only that we have provided these women with training in making paper bags. Through this, we have also opened up an employment opportunity for them," claimed Afsaar Bano, Coordinator, 'Pahal'.

Aware about the hazards of using polythene bags, the women are happy about contributing towards environment preservation.

"Polythene bags are much in use. So, this is a small effort from our side to make these paper bags and do our bit to help save the environment," said Kamla Tamta, a member. These women use ropes and old newspapers to make these bags and make around 200 to 300 bags in a day.

The project is generating around rupees 4,000 as monthly income for these women.

Yoga boosts heart health

Want to have a healthy heart? Practice yoga daily as Indian researchers have claimed that breathing exercises, stretching, relaxation and meditation improve heart health .

According to the researchers at IIT-Roorkee in Uttarakhand, heart rate variability, a sign of a healthy heart, has been shown to be higher in yoga practitioners than in non-practitioners.

Ramesh Kumar Sunkaria, Vinod Kumar and Suresh Chandra Saxena of the Electrical Engineering Department evaluated two small groups of men in order to see whether yoga can improve heart health.

The team said that in their preliminary study of 84 volunteers, there was strengthening of parasympathetic (vagal) control in subjects who regularly practice yoga, which is indicative of better autonomic control over heart rate and so a healthier heart.

They analysed the "HRV spectra" of the electrocardiograms (ECG) of 42 healthy male volunteers who were non-yogic practitioners, and 42 who are experienced practitioners, all volunteers were aged between 18 and 48 years.

The spectral analysis of HRV is an important tool in exploring heart health and the mechanisms of heart rate regulation, according to the team.

TOI

Udit Narayan and Shubha Mudgal to perform in Uttarakhand

Versatile Udit Narayan and the unconventional Shubha Mudgal have been invited to perform at the state foundation celebration of Uttarakhand state today on November 9.

The famous and one of the most celebrated singers would be participating in this four-day celebration. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank is presiding over this grand event and had personally invited the two singers to pay their gracious presence over the show. Udit Narayan and Shubha Mudgal would be performing in the several cultural programs planned for the occasion.

Sushilkumar Shinde visits NTPC’s Tapovan Project

Tapovan Vishnugad Run of River
Union Minister of Power Shri Sushilkumar Shinde took detailed review of 520 MW NTPC’s Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro Power Project situated in Joshimath Uttarakhand and saw the functioning of the Double Shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) deployed at the project and visited the power house site on 9.11.2009. Shri Shinde inaugurated the work for power house pressure shaft at the site. Expressing his satisfaction over progress of the project Shri Shinde hoped that the project will start generating by 2012. He even visited the control room set up to monitor the Double Shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) with precast concrete segmental lining, state of the art technology to mitigate the challenge of difficult terrain, adverse Himalayan geological conditions and social constraints. Shri R.S. Sharma, CMD, NTPC was also present with the team from Tapovan Vishnugad on the occasion at the site.

Under construction Tapovan Vishnugad Run of River (ROR) river scheme over Dhauliganga in Uttarakhand. The project is designed for annual generation energy of 2558.36 GWH and the beneficiaries of the project shall be Uttarakhand and states of northern region and Union territories

Soruce;http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=53971