Rampur Bushahr (Shimla), April 24 Construction at the 210-MW Luhri Hydroelectric Project in Nirath along the Sutlej River was brought to a standstill on Friday after hundreds of project-affected farmers staged a protest, escalating a simmering dispute over compensation, rehabilitation and environmental damage.
The project, being executed by SJVNL Limited has witnessed repeated flashpoints in recent months. On Friday, large groups of farmers marched from the National Highway to the project site, defying attempts by the police to restrict their movement. With the crowd swelling, the administration pulled back, allowing protesters to assemble at the site.
Officials from the project management and district administration initiated on-the-spot negotiations to defuse tensions. While some issues were discussed, no comprehensive resolution emerged, and work remained suspended through the day.
Protesters alleged that repeated assurances given by the company and authorities have not translated into action. They claimed that continuous blasting for tunnelling and construction has led to structural damage in nearby villages, with visible cracks appearing in houses and agricultural land. Farmers also cited declining crop yields, attributing losses to dust and pollution from ongoing works.
A key grievance remains compensation. Affected families alleged that despite land acquisition, they have not received promised lump-sum payments or employment benefits. They further claimed that provisions of the Rights to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 have not been properly implemented.
Leaders of the farmers’ movement sharpened their stance. Rakesh Singha, State General Secretary of the Kisan Sabha and former MLA, said the agitation would continue until justice is delivered to affected families. Local Kisan Sabha president Krishna Rans accused the administration and project authorities of reneging on commitments, forcing villagers to intensify their protest.
Echoing these concerns, CPI(M) leader Dr Onkar Shad said long-pending grievances had been ignored, leading to mounting anger on the ground.
With work now fully halted, the standoff has once again spotlighted persistent fault lines in large infrastructure projects—particularly around land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation. The administration is expected to hold further talks, but no timeline has been indicated for restoration of normal work at the site.
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