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Friday, February 22, 2013

Assam Govt adopts GoMs’ recommendations

The Government of Assam has adopted the recommendations of the Group of Ministers that was constituted in 2011 to study the issues of hydro-power projects in totality with an inter-disciplinary approach.

Briefing media persons here today about the recommendations of the Group of Ministers, Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said that all aspects had been considered right to protection of riparian rights to allay the apprehensions in the mind of the people regarding the Lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project (LSHPP) and all other proposed hydro-power projects on rivers flowing through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

“We have suggested to the Government that it refer to the Dr CD Thatte Committee report in connection with the safety and stability of the Subansiri dam and a Pseudo Static and Dynamic Analysis also be carried out to remove the fears in the minds of the common people,” said Bordoloi, adding that the Group of Ministers has recommended that a minimum water flow (260 cumecs) at the downstream has to be maintained at all times including off-peak hours of winter season by the LSHPP.

The Group of Ministers has recommended that the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) should include the Piano Key Weir technology that will add a moderate flood cushion besides ensuring that the local aquatic fauna is sustained.

“As far as the LSHPP is concerned, the Group of Ministers has suggested that the existing parameter of giving free power to the host State only be revised and equal share of free power be provided to the immediate downstream State that is Assam,” said Bordoloi.

On the other hand, in regard to the proposed hydro-power projects to be located from west to east of Arunachal Pradesh embracing Assam in the downstream, the Group of Ministers has suggested that a holistic and cumulative environment impact study be carried out.

The Group of Ministers has further recommended that a concrete Reservoir Regulation Policy be put in place binding on all proposed hydro projects and to make it mandatory to consult all riparian States while assessing the impact on environment, agriculture, aquatic life, flora and fauna.

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