Spl Correspondent
The Assam Tribune, NEW DELHI, Nov 22 –
The hue and cry over mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh notwithstanding, the
Centre has said 50 per cent of the works on the Lower Subansiri
Hydroelectric Power Project has been completed, while plans have been
firmed up for implementation of Siang Upper (stage I) and Lower hydro
projects.
The confirmation in the Parliament came on a day, when the National
Alliance for Peoples Movement (ALPM) staged a demonstration at Jantar
Mantar demanding halt to mega dam projects, relief and rehabilitation of
affected people. The demonstration and a symbolic march to Parliament
was joined by Asam Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (AKMSS) led by Akhil Gogoi.
In a written reply, Union Minister for Power, Sushil Kumar Shinde said
that couple of hydro projects on River Siang have been identified for
execution in Arunachal Pradesh.
The 2700 MW Siang (Lower) executed by Jaiprakash Associates Limited has
been cleared by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in February. The
Project is yet to be cleared from the Environment and Forest angle by
the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The NTPC Limited has prepared feasibility report for 6000 MW Siang Upper
Stage – I and 3750 MW Stage – II by avoiding submergence of important
towns like Tuting and Yingkiang, as desired by the Arunachal Pradesh
Government.
About Siang Lower Hydroelectric Project, Ministry of Environment and
Forest has accorded sanction to terms and reference for installed
capacity of 2700 MW for carrying out detailed Environmental Impact and
Resettlement of displaced persons due to submergence, impact on flora
and fauna, impact on bio-diversity of area and impact on ecology.
Further, Central Water Commission (CWC) would be carrying out
comprehensive EIA studies for Siang sub-basin, Shinde said.
About reports of China's bid to construct dams on river Yarlung Tsangpo
impacting the flow of water in the downstream area in India has been
taken up with the Chinese authorities at the highest level. The Chinese
side has categorically denied that it is constructing a dam on
Brahmaputra River for the purpose of diversion, he claimed.
Shinde in reply to an un-starred question by Biren Baishya admitted that
several groups including KMSS, All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Takam
Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) are opposing construction of Subansitri Lower
Hydropower Project and other big dams proposed to be constructed in
Arunachal Pradesh.
The work on major components of the Subansiri hydro power project is in
advanced stage and almost 50 per cent of the work has been completed. An
expenditure of around Rs 4263.67 crore has already been incurred, Shinde
said.
On the direction of Government of Assam, a comprehensive Downstream
Impact Study was awarded to a Group of Experts from IIT, Guwahati,
Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University by NHPC, which submitted its
draft report in June. NHPC has already sent the detailed comments on
the draft report to the expert group for finalizing the report, Minister
said.
Meanwhile, in a separate report progress of hydro power projects in
North Eastern Region (NER) targeted for commissioning in the 11th and
12th Plan is being reviewed periodically by the Power Ministry at
different levels and other concerned agencies like CEA and CWC for their
expeditious implementation. Moreover, progress of hydro electric
projects in NER is also reviewed at periodic intervals by Planning
Commission, Cabinet Secretariat and Ministry of North Eastern Region,
Shinde said.
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