Centre to resolve impasse on Subansiri hydel proj:Arunachal CM

The Centre is working out to resolve the stalemate over completion of the 2000 mw Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project (LSHEP) at Gerukamukh, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki informed the state assembly today.
The works on the project being executed by NHPC were stalled since December 16, 2007 after protests.
Responding to a supplementary from Opposition leader Tamiyo Taga during question hour, Tuki informed that Union Minister of State (Independent) Power Minister Piyush Goyal and MoS (Independent) for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sarbananda Sonowal convened a two-day meeting from December 10 last year.
"The meeting attended by groups of experts, representatives from NHPC, GSI, CWC and all stakeholders including Akhil Gogoi of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), decided to form a Project Oversight Committee representing the government and agitating groups with four members from each side to resolve various issues related to the stalemate within three months," the chief minister said.

He said during the meeting steps taken on downstream impact were presented besides the expert committee clarifying all aspects of safety issues in response to the concerns of the anti-dam groups.
Goyal while appreciating the steps taken to improve the design of the dam by the NHPC, informed in the meeting that further delay of the project would escalate the cost and trigger power crisis in both Arunachal and Assam, Tuki quoted the minister as saying.
"The meeting also assured to provide 533 mw additional power to Assam as demanded by agitating organizations," the chief minister said adding the state government had been regularly pursuing the Centre for taking necessary action for early resumption of construction work of the project.

The anti-dam activists have been demanding the Centre to examine the impact of landslides within the periphery of the project and the dam safety in case of earthquake, adequate provisions for flood protection management, 12 per cent free power to Assam on the lines of Arunachal Pradesh and conducting separate public hearing with the downstream project affected people, Tuki added.