APSPCB asks hydropower developers to follow pollution norms

Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) has directed hydropower developers to strictly follow the guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board for monthly monitoring of ambient air quality, river water quality and environmental noise level.
In a meeting convened yesterday to take stock of the status of the construction activities, APSPCB Chairman Techi Tagi Tara emphasized on following the guidelines as quoted in the Environmental Clearance and Consent Order issued by the Centre and APSPCB, an official release said here today.
The board also warned of necessary action against the defaulters.
Expressing concern on the muck disposal pattern, the Chairman called on the project proponents to dispose it in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and APSPCB.

The half-yearly reports were also directed to be submitted regularly for necessary action from the Board.
Officials from hydroelectric projects of Pare, Ranganadi, Kameng, Reliance, Dikshi, Meenakshi, Velcan Energy and Dirang participated in the meeting.

Detailing the construction works, officials from Pare HEP informed that 65 per cent of work has been completed and the project is likely to be commissioned by December 2017, while the Kameng HEP would be commissioned by March 2017.
The construction activities are yet to start for the Reliance Energy because of the delay in obtaining forest clearance and the want of Siang Basin studies.

The construction of Dikshi HEP is on with the completion target set for 2017 while Gongri HEP has been halted due to financial constraints, the release added.