The promises have remained just promises. Many Indians criticize the highly centralized energy programme as inappropriate. Rihand belongs to a cluster of US power stations which, when the lights are switched on, will have the highest concentration of power generation in the world. Environmentalists are concerned that every day Rihand alone will deposit 10,000 tonnes of toxic ash into the environment. Seepage into the reservoir is already killing fish on which local livelihoods depend.
British companies are the main beneficiaries of the aid programme.
A total of 2,600 British companies have profited. India s own highly capable power industry is suffering from slim order books when all around foreign companies, backed by aid, are erecting smokestacks. The British have not bought a nail from India, said a former Indian civil servant. For years to come India will be buying spare parts from abroad. Environmentalist Darryl D Monte is calling for big technology to be supplemented by smaller schemes.