In Bengaluru, two former Supreme Court judges, Justice N Santosh Hegde and Justice V Gopala Gowda, have voiced their opposition to the Sharavathi pumped storage project proposed by the state energy department in the central Western Ghats. Justice Gowda raised concerns about the lack of public access to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and questioned its implications for national security. He emphasized the government’s responsibility to justify the expenditure of taxpayers’ money and suggested reconsidering the project, offering legal support if needed. Additionally, Justice Gowda highlighted the issue of contracts being awarded without obtaining the necessary project license. Justice Hegde, a former Karnataka Lokayukta, criticized the project for not aligning with public or environmental interests. He urged the government, which frequently advocates for environmental protection, to prioritize the future of the people and conserve the area. The proposed project aims to generate 2,000MW of power and is set to be constructed between the Talakalale and Gerusoppa dams on the Sharavathi river. This region is part of the Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary and the eco-sensitive zone of the Sharavathi valley in Shivamogga. The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) plans to execute the project at a cost of Rs 10,240 crore.
Are ex-SC judges raising environmental concerns over the Sharavathi project?
