NHPC forms panel to review dam design

Hydro-power giant NHPC Ltd, which is the developer of the 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project, has constituted an expert panel to review the design of the dam following recommendations of a ‘Technical Experts Committee’ (TEC).

The TEC was formed by the Planning Commission for a comprehensive review of the project in the wake of strong opposition in Assam to the upcoming Rs 9,000 crore project, which is situated at Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The mood among common people, particularly in Upper and eastern Assam districts, is against the construction of mega-dams in upper reaches of Brahmaputra. The fear is of perceived threat of submergence of riparian areas in downstream Assam due to flash floods post commissioning of mega-dams and threat to the surrounding ecology. Presently, civil work at the project site is being stalled as protestors have imposed an indefinite economic blockade of the project.

The possibility of breaking the ice with the protestors by NHPC with its latest move of constituting an ‘expert panel’, however, looks extremely bleak.  

The TEC, which comprised of C D Thatte and MS Reddy, both ex-chairmen of Central Water Commission (CWC), has recommended for an independent dam design review panel under the chairman of CWC. Further, TEC has asked NHPC to constitute a ‘Dam Safety Review Panel’ post-commissioning the project and the same should include external experts too. TEC has also recommended for urgent completion of study of dam break analysis.

In accordance with the recommendations of TEC, NHPC has agreed to set up a ‘reservoir regulation committee’ under the chairmanship of a CWC member for operation of the reservoir so as to ensure optimum flood moderation benefits. NHPC has also agreed to run one unit of the project continuously, post commissioning, to ensure minimum downstream flow at 250 cumecs and Central Electricity Authority has also consented for the same.