Sharavati PSP could set dangerous precedent for India's river valleys: Representation

By A Representative 

Power and climate policy analyst Shankar Sharma has submitted a detailed representation to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), expressing serious concerns over the proposed Sharavati Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in Karnataka and the broader push for similar projects across India's river valleys.

Addressing CEC member Sunil Limaye, Sharma argued that pumped storage projects in ecologically sensitive river valleys could have significant impacts on forests, biodiversity, rivers, wildlife habitats and local communities. He urged the committee to examine the Sharavati project not in isolation but within the context of the Ministry of Power's identification of nearly 200,000 MW of pumped storage potential nationwide.

According to the representation, large-scale implementation of such projects could affect hundreds of river valley locations, resulting in extensive forest diversion and ecological disruption. Sharma contended that alternatives such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and demand-side management measures should be evaluated more seriously, citing their technological and economic advantages.

Focusing on the Sharavati proposal, he noted that the project would involve diversion of around 400 acres of tropical rainforest within the core and buffer zones of the Sharavati Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary. He questioned the rationale for locating the project in a protected area and alleged that concerns raised by civil society groups had not been adequately addressed by the project authorities.

The representation also criticized the project's cost-benefit analysis, claiming that several capital and operational costs had been excluded while projecting exceptionally high social benefits. Sharma further alleged that access to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) had been denied to the public on grounds of national security.

Highlighting public opposition, he stated that public hearings conducted under environmental regulations had recorded unanimous objections to the project and that several scientists, environmentalists and retired Supreme Court judges had also expressed concerns. He further pointed to reports by a National Board for Wildlife committee and a senior forest official of the Union Environment Ministry, both of which reportedly recommended rejection of environmental clearance for the project.

Calling for a comprehensive review of pumped storage projects in river valleys, Sharma urged the CEC to ensure rigorous scrutiny of proposals involving diversion of forest land and large-scale use of freshwater resources. He also offered to make a detailed presentation before the committee on the ecological, social and economic implications of such projects and on alternative energy storage options.

Sharma, an electrical engineer with over 45 years of experience in the power sector in India, Australia and New Zealand, enclosed several discussion papers and technical submissions along with his representation.