Gogoi allays fears on mega dams-Assam's interest will not be compromised: Gogoi-GUWAHATI, Oct 22/10

Gogoi allays fears on mega dams

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 22 – Asserting that big dams are needed for controlling flood and erosion, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the State Government would ensure that concerns over possible adverse fallouts of the dams were addressed by the implementing agencies like the NHPC.
Addressing a press conference, Gogoi sought to allay the widespread apprehensions over big dams – especially the Lower Subansiri Hydel Project currently under construction by the NHPC –

saying that “remedial measures” would be sought to address, if any, concerns related to flash floods, siltation, biodiversity loss, etc.

According to the Chief Minister, the intense agitation spearheaded by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and supported by many organizations like the AASU, AJYCP, etc., is a ploy by the Opposition to divert the issue of development.

“Vested interests have combined to divert the real issue of development from the people. The Opposition, too, is part of the vested interest propaganda… my stand on big dams has been the same all along while the AGP keeps on changing its stance to suit its interests,” he said.

Gogoi said that following the recommendations of the expert committee from IIT-Guwahati, Gauhati University Dibrugarh University, he had conveyed the State’s concern over mega dams to the Prime Minister, urging him to set up a ‘technical team’ comprising internationally acclaimed seismologists and authorities on the subject, besides some members of the original expert committee to examine the technical parameters for safety and stability of the Lower Subansiri dam.

Besides, Gogoi said, the State Government called for a comprehensive and cumulative river basin study of Subansiri, Lohit and Siang basins to determine the cumulative impact on downstream areas stemming from the proposed 150-odd dams in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said that Assam had been urging the Centre for setting up a North Eastern Water Resouirce Authority (NERWA) for evolving a holistic and integrated water and hydel policy for the entire region.

Gogoi further said that the State Government had already moved the Union Power Ministry seeking 12 per cent (240 MW) free power from the 2,000-MW Lower Subansiri project for Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to be shared equally.

Power Minister Pradyut Bardoloi, who also addressed the media, said that the State Government was aware of the possible adverse effects of big dams and had called for a downstream impact assessment in 2006. He said that it was possible to address the concerns through proper interventions.


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