Where’s the urgency for the 2,000 MW Sharavati PSP in Western Ghats?

By Shankar Sharma*

A recent news article has raised credible concerns about the techno-economic clearance granted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for a large Pumped Storage Project (PSP) located within a protected area in the dense Western Ghats of Karnataka. The article, titled "Where is the hurry for the 2,000 MW Sharavati PSP in Western Ghats?", questions the rationale behind this fast-tracked approval for such a massive project in an ecologically sensitive zone.

Environmentalists in Karnataka view this hurried approval as a stark example of the lack of due diligence on the part of multiple regulatory agencies when it comes to endorsing high-impact projects in eco-sensitive areas. Constitutionally mandated agencies like the CEA are expected to scrutinize proposals for such projects, particularly in protected areas, with a comprehensive view of societal welfare—not just through the lens of limited technical parameters.

There is also an undercurrent of corruption allegations tied to this project. Reports suggest that the construction contract may have already been awarded to a private contractor, with a significant advance payment made, even before obtaining essential environmental, wildlife, and forest clearances.

This Sharavati PSP proposal, along with 14 other PSP projects planned for the Western Ghats, has faced widespread criticism from environmentalists throughout the region. These critics see these projects as a violation of the authorities' Constitutional mandate to safeguard the environment. There are serious concerns that these projects will easily clear regulatory hurdles, only to wreak irreversible damage on the Western Ghats, which are recognized for their unique and critical biodiversity.

Many environmentalists have expressed shock that key issues—such as the project’s location within a wildlife sanctuary, the potential destruction of tropical evergreen forests, the low capacity utilization of the PSP, and the availability of more sustainable alternatives—were seemingly overlooked by the CEA when approving the project.

As an electrical engineer and power sector professional with nine years of experience at the CEA, I find it difficult to understand how this project could have been granted techno-economic clearance. Even from a purely economic standpoint, the approval of a PSP of this magnitude appears misguided. It seems evident that a thorough cost-benefit analysis of more credible alternatives, such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), was not carried out before the clearance was given. Furthermore, it’s clear that domain experts from civil society were not effectively consulted during the decision-making process.

In strategic policy matters like this, it is hard to see how the government’s actions align with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” (Together with all, Development for all, Trust of all, Effort of all).

Larger national concerns also loom over this issue, with media reports indicating that the Ministry of Power is considering the construction of 115,000 MW of PSPs across the country. This scale of development could lead to incalculable ecological damage, which our already fragile ecosystems may not be able to withstand.

CEA should publish a policy paper justifying the need for PSPs, detailing the costs and benefits relative to alternatives like BESS

Given the lack of a diligently prepared national energy policy from bodies like NITI Aayog, unsubstantiated energy policies—such as the promotion of PSPs, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), gas-based power plants, and large solar and wind farms—are likely to face increasing opposition from civil society groups. These projects, along with new coal mines and transmission lines, raise serious questions about their long-term environmental and economic impacts.

It is imperative that the Union government takes these concerns seriously and applies effective course corrections before public trust in the regulatory agencies erodes further. Unfortunately, none of the responsible agencies or ministries have provided satisfactory responses to the issues raised by civil society, and there is no clarity on why experts from these groups are consistently excluded from discussions on such critical matters.

As a first step, the CEA should publish a policy paper justifying the need for PSPs, detailing the costs and benefits relative to alternatives like BESS, and explaining how the national electricity supply-demand scenario could be addressed through demand-side management (DSM) and other measures. The paper should also discuss how PSPs can be justified in the context of India’s rapidly degrading forest and river ecosystems, which are already in an alarming state of decline.

Addressing the issues raised in representations to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) about the Sharavati PSP, as well as the broader relevance of PSPs for India, would be a crucial step toward finding a more balanced and sustainable energy policy.

---

*Power & Climate Policy Analyst, Karnataka. This article is based on the author’s representation to the Union Minister for Power

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

The Vande Mataram debate and the politics of manufactured controversy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The recent Vande Mataram debate in Parliament was never meant to foster genuine dialogue. Each political party spoke past the other, addressing its own constituency, ensuring that clips went viral rather than contributing to meaningful deliberation. The objective was clear: to construct a Hindutva narrative ahead of the Bengal elections. Predictably, the Lok Sabha will likely expunge the opposition’s “controversial” remarks while retaining blatant inaccuracies voiced by ministers and ruling-party members. The BJP has mastered the art of inserting distortions into parliamentary records to provide them with a veneer of historical legitimacy.

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.

Search This Blog