Rajkhowa asks NHPC to expedite projects in Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa today asked NHPC authorities to expedite commissioning of projects in the state as per schedule and there should not be escalation of cost or time overrun.
"There must be a balance between development and the environment considerations," the Governor said during a meeting with NHPC's Itanagar based executive director Shyamal Mitra at Raj Bhawan here.
Mitra, who was accompanied by Tawang general manager Gobind Baidya and deputy manager K Riram, briefed Rajkhowa on the NHPC projects in the state and Tawang district, an official release said.
"For overall and larger interest of the state and region, the NHPC must ensure adequate compensation to the affected people, including people in downstream by providing alternative livelihood, quality land, resettlement and other facilities as per norms and guidelines of the Centre.

"Agricultural fields, endangered species of flora and fauna, like orchids and Black Necked Cranes should be preserved as well," the Governor stressed.
He advised the NHPC officials to take extra steps to expedite the project work and take village elders, Gaon Burhas, Panchayati Raj functionaries and elected representatives in confidence.
The Governor said till big projects were commissioned, small and medium size hydro project must be taken up to meet the power requirement and such small projects should be supported by the state government.
Rajkhowa also asked the NHPC to expedite the process of setting up of the proposed Science and Technology Collage in Tawang district at the earliest under its corporate social responsibility, the release added.