Assam government today reiterated its support in construction of the controversial Subansiri hydropower project through a "scientific process" even as cost escalated by nearly Rs 5,000 crore due to delay.
In a written reply to a query by AGP MLA and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, state Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said "The state government wants this project to be completed through a scientific process."
Construction work of the ambitious 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project by NHPC at Gerukamukh in Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Subansiri river has been stalled since December 2011 after protests by local residents and other groups fearing safety and downstream impact.
Bordoloi also said the Centre allocated Rs 11,000 crore as on December 2010 for construction of the dam.
Initially, the cost of the project was estimated at around Rs 6,285 crore and it was scheduled to be commissioned in December 2012.
In another written question by AGP MLA Utpal Dutta, the minister said Assam has been allocated 533 MW of power, including 25 MW free of cost, from the project.
"We have sought 600 MW power from this project. Out of this, we have demanded the Centre to give us 120 MW free power," Bordoloi said.
He further said four expert committees have been formed to examine the project and alleviate fear of the public living downstream in Assam.
Once the project is completed, the project would get Rs 470 crore as grants to protect and develop the downstream areas, the minister added.
Subansiri Lower HE Project is the biggest hydroelectric project undertaken in India so far and is a run of river scheme on River Subansiri.
The project is located at Lower Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh near North Lakhimpur on the Arunachal-Assam border.
