NHPC project against state interest

Itanagar, Mar 10: The Arunachal Congress (AC) today (Mar 10, 2006) alleged that construction of 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri project over Subansiri River by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) at Gerukamukh bordering Assam and Arunachal is against the interest of the state.

The AC alleged that the proposed construction of dam could spoil the age-old relations between the two sisterly states.

Assam's claim that the project was in its area though it was in Arunachal's territory and that state's demand for recruitment of its people in grade III and IV jobs has sent a wrong message, party president Kamen Ringu claimed in a release.

The proposed national park around the project would displace around one lakh indigenous Arunachalees and deprive them of their traditional rights over the natural resources, he said.

The NHPC dam has been reportedly planned on condition that no other project should be taken up on the upper reaches of the river, he said.

When the upper course of Subansiri has an identified power potential of 9,700 MW to be tapped through 21 projects, Arunachal can not remain silent when its resources were being exploited without giving legitimate rights to its people, Mr. Ringu said, adding the party would raise its protest at all levels, including in the state assembly.

UNI