TEHRI, NOV 11: Union Energy Minister YK Alagh today refused to concede to fasting environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna's demand that work on the Rs 6,500 crore Tehri dam project be stopped pending the expert committees' report.

The Minister said he had assured Bahuguna that the government would adhere to the opinion of the experts' committees set up in the wake of the Chipko leader's fast last year, but made it clear that the work on the dam site can't be stopped. ``There is no point talking about the project if you halt the work altogether,'' he said.

Bahuguna, whose ``fast and prayer'' entered the 41st day today on the banks of river Bhagirathi, mocked the government's stand saying, ``How can you continue construction of a house whose foundation is yet to be tested.''``My first demand is that the work on the dam site should be stopped pending inquiries by experts,'' Bahuguna reiterated after his meeting with the Minister.

Alagh, on his part maintained that, ``If a particular accredited authority says the dam should be stopped, it should be stopped,''and promised that all aspects related to the safety, rehabilitation and design of the controversial Tehri dam project, raised by Bahuguna, would be thoroughly examined by experts and the project be completed in accordance with their opinion. He added that the govt would ensure that the project schedule and rehabilitation work would go on simultaneously. The Minister said the local people's rights over water, land, electricity and employment would be safeguarded.

``We want to involve local youth at every level and we want Bahuguna's cooperation to ensure this,'' Alagh said. He said the government was sincere in concentrating on the issues Bahuguna was raising including the appointment of a legal authority to examine various aspects of the project.

Alagh said he was here due to Prime Minister Gujral's and his own concern about the veteran environmentalist's health.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.