Centre urged to end Subansiri dam stand-off

ITANAGAR, Aug 30 – A delegation of legislators from Arunachal Pradesh called on Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily in New Delhi on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum demanding early solution to the current stalemate on the Lower Subansiri dam issue, thereby ensuring speedy commissioning of the 2,000 MW hydro electric project at Gerukamukh on Assam-Arunachal border. (Briefly reported earlier)

The Arunachal MP Takam Sanjoy-led delegates said in the memorandum, “This dream and biggest project of 2,000 MW was allotted to NHPC which started its construction in 2005 which is to be commissioned in 2014. However, due to arbitrary launching of agitation by KMSS, AASU and other organisations in Assam, the project is said to be drifting away from early commissioning in 2014 to 2016. Such obstructions in Assam have already created heavy loss to the national exchequer.

“The Government of India has also failed to initiate dialogue with the agitating organisations. We urge upon your good office to immediately constitute a Committee consisting of representatives from Arunachal Pradesh Government, Assam Government, NHPC and a Joint Secretary of Power Ministry to be headed by Union Minister of State or MP of the region to create conducive atmosphere for a dialogue with the agitating organisations for a permanent solution to their grievances”, the memorandum said.

Expressing dismay over the ‘delay’ in commissioning of 600 MW Kameng HE Project, which was supposed to be commissioned in 2012, the delegates urged the Union Minister to pass a strong directive on the NEEPCO “to clear all projects (including 110 MW Pare Hydro Electric Project) awarded to them on time”.

They further called for early construction of 750 MW Tawang HE Project and 11km road tunnel from Sange to Mukto by NHPC. “We urge upon you to give proper directive to NHPC to start 750 MW Tawang Hydro Electric Project at the earliest.

In the MoU signed with the State Government, NHPC had agreed to construct the above road tunnel along with the project. This may kindly be expedited at the earliest as it would help solve defence strategic aspects of Union Government.”