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Collegium System of Judicial Appointments in India

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The Collegium system refers to India's judicial process for appointing and transferring judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. While the system plays a crucial role in maintaining judicial independence, it has also been the subject of much debate.

What is the Collegium System?

The Collegium system is not a constitutional provision, but has evolved through landmark Supreme Court judgments, notably the Three Judges Cases. The system aims to ensure the independence of the judiciary by placing the authority for judicial appointments largely in the hands of senior judges rather than the executive or legislature.

Evolution of the Collegium System

  1. First Judges Case (1981):

    • Context: The Supreme Court held that the word "consultation" in Articles 124(2) (for SC judges) and 217 (for HC judges) did not mean "concurrence," giving primacy to the executive in judicial appointments.

    • Impact: The executive (the President and government) was considered to have the final say in judicial appointments.

  2. Second Judges Case (1993):

    • Ruling: The Court overruled the First Judges Case and held that consultation meant concurrence. The advice of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on judicial appointments was binding on the President.

    • Result: The Collegium system was formed, giving the judiciary the final authority in judicial appointments, with the CJI and two senior-most judges involved in making recommendations.

  3. Third Judges Case (1998):

    • Expansion: The Collegium was expanded to include the CJI and the four most senior judges of the Supreme Court.

    • Composition of Collegium: The Supreme Court Collegium consists of the CJI and four senior-most SC judges; the High Court Collegium consists of the CJI and the two senior-most HC judges.

How Does the Collegium System Work?

  1. Appointment of Judges:

    • SC Judges: The CJI initiates the process, consulting the Collegium and the senior-most judge from the candidate's High Court. Once the Collegium reaches a consensus, the recommendation is sent to the Law Minister and the Prime Minister, who advise the President for the appointment.

    • HC Judges: The President, in consultation with the CJI, Governor, and the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, appoints the judges.

  2. Role of the Government:

    • The government can raise objections to the Collegium's recommendations. However, if the Collegium reiterates its decision, the appointment becomes binding.

Constitutional Basis for Judicial Appointments

  1. Article 124:

    • Deals with the appointment of Supreme Court judges, stating that they must be appointed by the President in consultation with the CJI and other judges.

  2. Article 217:

    • Deals with the appointment of High Court judges, stating that the President must consult the CJI, Governor, and HC Chief Justice.

  3. Ad hoc Judges (Article 127):

    • Allows the CJI to request a High Court judge to sit in the Supreme Court if a quorum is not available, with the President's consent.

  4. Acting CJI (Article 126):

    • If the CJI is absent or a vacancy occurs, the senior-most available SC judge is appointed as Acting CJI by the President.

  5. Retired Judges (Article 128):

    • With the President’s consent, the CJI may request a retired SC judge to sit and act as a judge for a specific period.

Arguments for the Collegium System

  1. Separation of Powers:

    • The system ensures the judiciary’s independence from the executive and legislature, allowing judges to perform their duties without external interference, which is vital for the separation of powers (as envisaged in Article 50).

  2. Preservation of Judicial Integrity:

    • Senior judges, who are familiar with the intricacies of law, are best placed to assess the integrity, legal acumen, and suitability of potential judges.

  3. Reduction of Corruption:

    • The Collegium system reduces the likelihood of corruption or undue political influence in judicial appointments, as the decision-making power lies within the judiciary.

Arguments Against the Collegium System

  1. Lack of Transparency:

    • The process is often conducted in secrecy, with no clear, published criteria for judicial appointments, which can lead to accusations of nepotism or favoritism (the so-called "uncle judge syndrome").

  2. Concentration of Power:

    • The system centralizes power in the hands of a few senior judges, which raises concerns about the lack of checks and balances and potential unchecked authority in judicial appointments.

  3. Inequitable Representation of Communities:

    • Data reveals that a significant portion of appointments to the judiciary (especially in High Courts) comes from upper-caste backgrounds. This has led to concerns about the underrepresentation of marginalized communities, women, and other diverse social groups.

    • Women make up only 4% of the Supreme Court judges, and there have been consistent calls for gender and social diversity in judicial appointments.

  4. Judicial Vacancies:

    • The Collegium system has been blamed for delays in judicial appointments, with 331 judicial vacancies reported in High Courts in 2024, leading to a backlog of cases and delays in justice delivery.

The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)

  • The NJAC was a proposed constitutional body designed to replace the Collegium system, established under the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014.

  • Objective: To create a transparent process based on merit for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.

  • Supreme Court's Verdict: In the Fourth Judges Case (2015), the Supreme Court struck down the NJAC as unconstitutional, arguing that it undermined judicial independence by allowing the executive more power in judicial appointments.

Conclusion

The Collegium system, despite its criticisms, is considered vital for maintaining judicial independence in India. While it has been successful in ensuring that the judiciary remains free from executive interference, there is a strong case for reform.

  • The system can be strengthened by introducing greater transparency, objective criteria, and merit-based oversight.

  • Addressing the concerns regarding representation, vacancies, and power concentration would help make the system more inclusive and efficient while still safeguarding judicial independence.

A balanced approach that combines the best features of the Collegium with necessary reforms may offer a more transparent, fair, and accountable judicial appointment process in India

Sea-Level Rise

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Coral micro-atolls are essential natural recorders of sea-level rise (SLR), offering valuable insights into past and present oceanic changes. These disk-shaped coral colonies provide a unique method for scientists to track long-term fluctuations in sea levels, thanks to their distinctive growth patterns.

How Coral Micro-atolls Record Sea-Level Changes

  1. Formation and Growth:

    • Coral micro-atolls stop growing vertically once they are constrained by the lowest tide levels. As a result, the upper surface of the micro-atoll directly reflects changes in the sea level, providing a clear record of past water levels.

    • Their disk-like shape allows them to maintain a consistent upper growth surface that mirrors long-term sea-level changes.

  2. Longevity and Accuracy:

    • These corals can survive for decades or even centuries, providing high-resolution data on sea-level fluctuations.

    • The continuous growth bands in the coral skeleton allow scientists to precisely reconstruct historical sea levels, offering insights into long-term trends, such as the acceleration of sea-level rise.

  3. Case Study: Mahutigalaa Reef, Maldives:

    • A study conducted on the Porites micro-atoll from the Mahutigalaa Reef in the Huvadhoo Atoll of the Maldives analyzed sea levels from 1930 to 2019.

    • The study found that sea levels in the Indian Ocean have risen by approximately 0.3 meters over the past 90 years.

Rates of Sea-Level Rise in the Indian Ocean

  1. Period-wise Sea-Level Rise:

    • 1930–1959: 1–1.84 mm/year

    • 1960–1992: 2.76–4.12 mm/year

    • 1990–2019: 3.91–4.87 mm/year

  2. Key Revelation:

    • The research revealed that sea-level rise in the Indian Ocean began much earlier than previously believed, starting as early as the late 1950s, rather than around the 1990s.

    • Over the past 50 years, Maldives, Lakshadweep, and Chagos have experienced a 30–40 cm increase in sea levels, intensifying the risks of flooding and coastal erosion.

Factors Affecting Coral Growth and Sea-Level Data

  • Environmental Influences:

    • El Niño, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and the 18.6-year lunar cycle influence the growth of coral micro-atolls. These factors can cause temporary fluctuations in the corals' growth patterns, which then reflect on the recorded sea-level data.

    • By studying the growth bands in coral micro-atolls, scientists can accurately reconstruct sea-level history, which helps track the acceleration of sea-level rise in specific regions like the Maldives and Lakshadweep.

Understanding Sea-Level Rise (SLR)

Sea-Level Rise (SLR) refers to the gradual increase in ocean levels over time. While the global average rise is about 3.2 mm/year, regions like the Indian Ocean are experiencing a faster rate of 3.3 mm/year, which exacerbates the challenges faced by coastal regions like the Maldives, Lakshadweep, and the Chagos Archipelago.

Causes of Sea-Level Rise

  1. Melting of Glaciers and Ice Sheets:

    • The melting of glaciers and ice sheets significantly adds to the volume of seawater, contributing to sea-level rise.

    • Greenland's ice loss has increased seven-fold, and Antarctica's ice loss nearly quadrupled between 1992–2016, resulting in major contributions to sea-level rise.

  2. Thermal Expansion:

    • As the Earth's climate warms, seawater absorbs heat and expands, which contributes significantly to sea-level rise.

  3. Groundwater Depletion and Land Water Shifts:

    • Groundwater depletion, changes in aquifers, rivers, lakes, and soil moisture, and the transfer of water to the sea from these sources also contribute to rising sea levels.

  4. Historical Sea-Level Rise:

    • Since 1880, global sea levels have risen by approximately 21–24 cm, with the record high in 2023 being 101.4 mm above the 1993 levels.

Impact of Sea-Level Rise on Island Nations

Island nations, particularly in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, face significant risks from sea-level rise, which threatens their land, economies, and infrastructure.

  1. Loss of Land and Habitats:

    • Rising seas inundate coastal areas, salinize freshwater resources, and destroy vital habitats such as mangroves and coral reefs, which act as natural defenses against storms and flooding.

  2. Water and Food Insecurity:

    • Saltwater intrusion contaminates aquifers, while the degradation of coral reefs reduces fish stocks, leading to food insecurity.

    • Nations like the Maldives, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Marshall Islands are already facing significant drinking water shortages due to salinization.

  3. Extreme Climate Events:

    • Increased sea-level rise contributes to more frequent and intense storms, cyclones, and floods, which devastate infrastructure and economies.

    • Hurricane Dorian (2019) caused USD 3 billion in damage to the Bahamas and displaced thousands of people.

  4. Socio-Economic Disruptions:

    • Beach erosion and destruction of tourism infrastructure result in a loss of revenues. For example, Barbados faces declining tourism due to coral reef destruction and increased storm damage.

    • Entire communities may be displaced, creating climate refugees and escalating the need for migration policies and climate adaptation strategies.

  5. Health and Cultural Risks:

    • Warmer temperatures contribute to the spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

    • Forced migration due to sea-level rise and extreme weather events could lead to the erosion of cultural identities and the loss of traditional ways of life.

Conclusion

The study of coral micro-atolls in the Maldives has challenged the belief that sea-level rise in the Indian Ocean started in the 1990s. It has revealed that sea levels have been rising since the late 1950s, with significant acceleration in recent decades. For island nations like the Maldives, Lakshadweep, and Chagos, this research underscores the urgency of implementing climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable coastal policies. It also highlights the importance of mitigating emissions, enhancing climate adaptation strategies, and refining sea-level projections to effectively address the challenges posed by sea-level rise

 

India’s Strategy in the Indian Ocean

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Why the Indian Ocean Matters:

  • Strategic Importance: The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world, hosting 1/3rd of the global population and acting as a crucial maritime trade route. It is responsible for the transit of over 2/3rd of the world's oil shipments, and 90% of India’s trade by volume passes through it, including nearly all oil imports.

  • Geopolitical Leverage: India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean spans 2.4 million sq. km, giving it significant influence in the region.

India’s Strategy in the Indian Ocean

  1. Strategic Partnerships:

    • Neighbourhood First & SAGAR Doctrine: India's approach to the Indian Ocean is primarily shaped by its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine. This has evolved into the MAHASAGAR doctrine, introduced in March 2025, focusing on mutual and holistic advancement for regional security and growth.

  2. Net Security Provider:

    • India has established itself as the net security provider in the region, particularly through active counter-piracy operations, anti-maritime terrorism efforts, and cooperation against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

    • India also engages in joint EEZ surveillance, and shares information through the Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR), strengthening maritime security.

  3. Engagement with Littoral States:

    • India has fostered strong bilateral partnerships with littoral states in the region such as Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles, focusing on:

      • Developmental assistance,

      • Capacity building programs,

      • Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR),

      • Defence and maritime security cooperation.

  4. Regional Leadership:

    • India has taken a leadership role in multilateral platforms like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). India is also pivotal in initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which address a range of issues from maritime security to strategic technologies and supply chain resilience.

  5. Infrastructure and Connectivity:

    • Port Development: India has invested heavily in port infrastructure across the Indian Ocean, such as the Chabahar Port in Iran, and initiatives in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Seychelles, to bolster connectivity and strategic presence.

    • Sagarmala 2.0: This flagship initiative focuses on enhancing port connectivity, developing inland waterways, and promoting industrial growth to enhance India’s maritime competitiveness.

  6. Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief:

    • India has proven itself as a reliable first responder in times of natural disasters. For instance, during Typhoon Yagi, India launched Operation 'Sadbhav', delivering disaster relief and medical supplies to countries like Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

Important Multilateral Platforms in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

  1. Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA):

    • A regional grouping aimed at promoting economic cooperation, maritime safety, and environmental security, with India as a founding member.

  2. Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):

    • Initiated by India in 2008, IONS seeks to foster maritime cooperation among the navies of the littoral states.

  3. Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI):

    • Launched by India in 2019, IPOI is a non-treaty-based global initiative aimed at the sustainable management of the maritime domain and the conservation of ocean resources.

  4. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD):

    • Focuses on maritime security, HADR, and strategic issues across the Indo-Pacific region.

  5. Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC):

    • India leads the security pillar of BIMSTEC, which focuses on counterterrorism, transnational crime, disaster management, and energy security in the region.

  6. Indian Ocean Commission (IOC):

    • While India is an observer state, the IOC plays a significant role in economic, environmental, and maritime security issues in the region.

Challenges to India’s Strategy in the Indian Ocean

  1. Geopolitical Challenges:

    • Increasing Influence of Extra-Regional Players: Countries like China have increased their presence in the Indian Ocean through investments in infrastructure (e.g., Sri Lanka, Maldives), and have enhanced their strategic footprint in the region, challenging India's traditional dominance in the area.

    • Island States’ Hedging: Some island nations are diversifying their partnerships, creating challenges for India in maintaining steady economic and security engagement with these countries.

  2. Maritime Security Concerns:

    • The region is plagued by piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and smuggling, posing challenges to India’s efforts to secure maritime trade routes.

  3. Infrastructure Gaps:

    • Many littoral states, including key Indian partners like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles, face significant infrastructure and financial limitations, impeding the full implementation of India’s development and security objectives.

Way Forward for India’s Strategy in the Indian Ocean

  1. Tailored Strategic Engagement Plan:

    • India should devise a comprehensive and flexible strategy, focusing on maritime security, climate resilience, infrastructure development, and defence cooperation. This strategy should be applicable to all 35 littoral states in the region.

  2. Institutionalizing Strategy Execution:

    • Establish an Inter-Ministerial Task Force that integrates inputs from key ministries, addressing existing institutional silos and streamlining decision-making processes. This will enable faster execution of India’s interests and better coordination in the region.

  3. Integrating Indian Ocean & Indo-Pacific Strategies:

    • A coherent maritime strategy should be developed, integrating policies in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. This includes bolstering cooperation through key multilateral platforms such as QUAD, IORA, and ASEAN.

  4. Green MAHASAGAR:

    • Environmental sustainability should be central to India’s regional strategy, with a focus on protecting marine ecosystems, reducing pollution, improving disaster response, and promoting the Blue Economy.

  5. Enhancing Maritime Strategy:

    • Strengthen maritime deterrence through the use of advanced technologies like satellite surveillance and AI-driven Maritime Domain Awareness to monitor the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.

  6. Indian Navy Modernization:

    • India should prioritize indigenous development under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to modernize its naval forces, improving fleet readiness, personnel training, and logistics support.

  7. Cultural Diplomacy:

    • To enhance India’s soft power, the funding of Indian missions should be increased to support initiatives such as Cultural Centers, art performances, and the promotion of Indian heritage in littoral states.

Conclusion:

India’s strategy in the Indian Ocean focuses on ensuring regional security, fostering cooperation, and advancing its strategic and economic interests. The ultimate goal is to promote greater prosperity and to make the Indian Ocean a free, open, and inclusive space, adhering to the principles of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India's role as a net security provider, a key development partner, and a regional leader is crucial in shaping the future of the Indian Ocean Region, ensuring stability, security, and sustainable development in this vital area

 

ASEAN Centrality

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Why in the News?

ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly under strain due to rising great-power rivalry, shifting global trade dynamics, and the evolving regional order. These pressures highlight the need for bold reforms and stronger partnerships within the region, particularly with key players like India, China, and the US.

What is ASEAN?

  1. Genesis and Purpose:

    • Established in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) aims to:

      • Accelerate regional economic and cultural progress,

      • Promote peace, stability, and the rule of law,

      • Foster collaboration across areas like education, trade, agriculture, and industry.

  2. ASEAN Member States:

    • ASEAN consists of 10 countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The founding members are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

  3. ASEAN Summit:

    • The ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body, consisting of Heads of State or Government from all member nations.

  4. Primary Goal (ASEAN Charter):

    • The ASEAN Charter (Article 1.15) emphasizes the grouping's primary goal to uphold ASEAN centrality and play an active role as the main driving force in external relations and cooperation.

Relevance of ASEAN Centrality in the Region

  1. Security and Stability:

    • ASEAN provides essential forums like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) to engage in security dialogue. These platforms include both ASEAN members and external powers, ensuring open channels for maritime security, defence collaboration, and regional stability.

  2. Economic Integration:

    • ASEAN led the formation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement that strengthens economic ties across the Asia-Pacific region, facilitating better market access for member states and external partners.

  3. Norm-Building:

    • Initiatives like the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which initially targeted Southeast Asian nations, have evolved into regional frameworks, with major global powers like China, the US, and Russia now signatories, promoting peaceful and cooperative behavior in the region.

Threats to ASEAN Centrality

  1. Great-Power Rivalry:

    • The US-China rivalry risks marginalizing ASEAN, as external powers push competing regional strategies (e.g., Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) vs. Indo-Pacific Strategy). This fragmentation could undermine ASEAN's unity and leadership role.

  2. US Tariffs and Trade Tensions:

    • The trade wars and tariffs imposed by the US destabilize the global trade system, which is crucial for ASEAN's export-driven economies, leading to economic uncertainty.

  3. Overlapping Regional Architectures:

    • New minilateral groupings like QUAD (US, Japan, India, Australia) and AUKUS (Australia, UK, US) challenge ASEAN’s regional security frameworks like the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). These newer arrangements often sideline ASEAN's role as the leading institution in regional security discussions.

  4. Internal Divisions:

    • ASEAN faces internal divisions, such as Vietnam’s advocacy for confronting China's actions in the South China Sea, while Cambodia and Laos have increasingly become dependent on Chinese investments, leading to challenges in forming a unified approach to key regional issues.

  5. Credibility Crisis:

    • ASEAN has struggled to enforce its Five-Point Consensus on the Myanmar crisis, which undermines its credibility as a regional leader in addressing conflicts and promoting stability. This allows external powers to intervene in the Indo-Pacific more freely.

  6. Weak Institutional Capacity:

    • The ASEAN Secretariat faces limitations in terms of resources and capacity, which hampers the implementation of its ambitious regional initiatives and undermines its ability to assert its centrality effectively.

Way Forward to Strengthen ASEAN Centrality

  1. Upgrade ASEAN’s Institutional Capacity:

    • ASEAN needs to strengthen its institutional framework to become more responsive and effective in addressing regional challenges. The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the ASEAN Political-Security Community Strategic Plan (2026–2030) are important steps in this direction.

  2. Cooperate with Like-minded Partners:

    • ASEAN should deepen its relationships with like-minded partners such as the European Union, which is keen to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific. This includes negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and exploring new areas of cooperation such as climate change and regional connectivity.

  3. Formal Consultation Mechanisms with Minilateral Groupings:

    • ASEAN should establish formal consultation mechanisms with emerging minilateral groupings like QUAD, AUKUS, and others. Proposing joint initiatives on common concerns like maritime security, disaster response, and sustainable development could help in strengthening ASEAN’s central role in the regional order.

  4. Closer Partnership with India:

    • India shares ASEAN’s interests in promoting regional trade, ensuring economic diversification, and maintaining stability. India-ASEAN cooperation in areas like maritime security, disaster response, and the blue economy presents significant opportunities for deepened collaboration.

How India Can Address the Shift in ASEAN Centrality

  1. Synchronize Efforts:

    • India should align its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) with ASEAN’s ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Both frameworks should cooperate on shared Indo-Pacific concerns, particularly maritime security, disaster relief, and blue economy initiatives.

  2. Explore Synergies with Sub-Regional Frameworks:

    • India can explore synergies with other sub-regional frameworks such as:

      • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA),

      • Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC),

      • Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).

    • These groupings can complement ASEAN’s objectives and further India’s influence in the region.

  3. Expedite ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA):

    • A review of the AITIGA (ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement) should be expedited to make it more effective, user-friendly, and trade-facilitative. Simplifying procedures will encourage greater business engagement between India and ASEAN countries.

  4. Implement ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Plan:

    • The ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Work Plan (2023-2027) can help expand people-to-people connections, bolster regional tourism, and create shared training programs for capacity building in the tourism sector.

Conclusion:

ASEAN has long been the cornerstone of Southeast Asian stability, security, and economic integration. However, the rise of competing regional and global powers, coupled with internal challenges, threatens its centrality in the evolving Indo-Pacific order. To maintain its leadership, ASEAN must adapt, strengthen institutional frameworks, and forge deeper partnerships, both within the region and with global powers. For India, strengthening ties with ASEAN is crucial, especially in areas like trade, maritime security, and the blue economy, ensuring a stable and cooperative Indo-Pacific. By fostering synergies with ASEAN, India can help reaffirm the grouping’s pivotal role in the region's future

 

 

Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project

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The Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project has once again come into the spotlight due to a dramatic incident where 19 NHPC workers and officials were trapped inside the project’s tunnel for 22 hours. This highlights the dangers that come with working in the challenging terrain of the Dharchula area in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.

Recent Incident:

  • Heavy monsoon rains triggered a landslide that blocked both the main head race tunnel and the emergency shaft. This left the workers trapped for several hours until rescue operations could be successfully carried out.

  • Rescue efforts were swift, with teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) working tirelessly to clear the debris and bring the workers to safety.

  • Fortunately, despite the dramatic situation, power generation at the plant continued uninterrupted. This is a testament to the project's resilience and ability to maintain operations even in crisis situations.

Key Details About the Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project:

  1. Location and Capacity:

    • Located on the Dhauliganga River in Uttarakhand, the project is a 280 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project.

    • The Dhauliganga River is a significant tributary of the Alaknanda River, part of the Ganga River system, which is crucial for both water management and hydroelectric generation in the region.

  2. Dam and Infrastructure:

    • The project features a concrete-faced rock-fill embankment dam standing 56 meters tall and stretching 315 meters in length.

    • It has a hydro reservoir capacity of 6.2 million cubic meters. This design helps it regulate water flow for consistent power generation.

  3. Operational Details:

    • The gross head (height difference the water travels) is 310 meters, and the net head is 297 meters, both of which are key factors in the plant's efficiency in generating power.

  4. History of Disasters and Resilience:

    • The project has faced significant challenges in the past. In 2013, the Uttarakhand flash floods caused extensive damage to the powerhouse, halting operations for several months.

    • In 2021, a glacial burst and avalanche near the region led to the destruction of a separate hydro project on the Dhauliganga, underscoring the vulnerability of infrastructure in these high-altitude, disaster-prone areas.

Challenges in the Region:

  • The region’s vulnerability to monsoon-induced landslides and glacial bursts is well-documented. Such disasters regularly disrupt both daily life and energy infrastructure, as seen in the recurring damage to hydropower plants in the area.

  • Despite these challenges, the ongoing power generation at Dhauliganga and the swift response to the rescue operation reflect both the strength of the infrastructure and the readiness of rescue teams in the region.

The Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project is a critical part of Uttarakhand’s renewable energy infrastructure, and the challenges it faces highlight the delicate balance between harnessing nature’s power and the risks that come with it.

 

 

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