The 850 MW Rattle Hydropower Project in Indian-occupied Kashmir is facing intense criticism over its alleged environmental damage, health risks, and socio-economic exploitation. Executed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the project has been accused of harming the delicate ecosystem through “unscientific” blasting, drilling, and waste disposal practices.
Residents living near the project site have reported significant damage to their properties, including homes and businesses. Uncontrolled blasting and improper waste management have caused structural harm, while local health issues, such as respiratory problems, have become widespread. In response, protests erupted last week, with locals accusing MEIL of failing to fulfill its job creation promises, a key aspect of the project’s agreements. Despite contractual commitments, the community has seen little benefit in terms of employment, heightening the frustration and hardship experienced by Kashmiris.
Critics argue that such large-scale projects, led by Indian firms, primarily benefit external interests while leaving local populations to bear the environmental and economic burdens. A spokesperson for a local protest group emphasized, “These development projects should serve the interests of the local people, not exploit them.”
Tensions are further escalated by the Indian government’s controversial policies, including the resettlement of non-indigenous populations and the increasing militarization of the region. Despite claims by Indian authorities that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A has brought positive change, the reality on the ground paints a different picture, with many locals still enduring severe hardships.
The controversy is also compounded by MEIL’s financial support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including a significant contribution of Rs 586 crore to the party’s contentious electoral bond scheme. This has raised concerns about the company’s close ties to the ruling government and its role in regional development.
Another key issue is the environmental impact of the Rattle Hydropower Project. If completed as planned, the project is expected to lower the water level of the Chenab River by 40% at Head Marala, potentially devastating irrigation systems in Pakistan’s central Punjab, which relies heavily on the river.
