Dams turning devils: An insight into the public safety aspects in operational run of the river hydropower projects in western Himalayas

A large number of run of the river (RoR) hydropower projects have been planned in hydro rich western Himalayan region. However, public safety aspects are not given due consideration during operation of these projects and many people had lost their lives in the recent past. This study aims at reviewing public safety norms/aspects in these regions and suggests suitable safety measures. Qualitative approach has been adopted to study the problem in detail by undertaking a case study in Himachal Pradesh, a western Indian Himalayan hydro rich state. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to develop and effectively implement public safety standards and/or manuals for operation of RoR hydropower projects in the region under study. The study may be useful in creating awareness and framing of imperative public safety norms for operational RoR hydropower projects in western Himalayan region of India and similar other regions across the world.