Says no to reservoir-based dams; Centre-state clash imminent
the Arunachal Pradesh (ap) government has decided not to undertake or allow construction of any new reservoir-based mega-dams in the state, chief minister Geogang Apang announced at the National Development Council meeting at Delhi, held on June 27-28 2005. The state had already conveyed its decision to the Union government through a letter on May 16, 2005. The Centre was shocked; it had no inkling.
The move is also bound to create consternation within the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (nhpc), which has the mandate to build mega-dams in the state; it is currently in-charge of 25 projects (see table: The unlucky 25). "Huge reservoirs create displacement problems and submerge large tracts of land. Consequently, the rehabilitation process becomes much more complicated," state chief secretary Ashok Kumar told Down To Earth, adding, "The 20 large projects planned by the central public sector (read nhpc) would be thoroughly reviewed." A bitter wrangle, involving nhpc, the state government and the Centre is certainly in the offing.
Alarmed at the move, the Brahamaputra Board, the statutory body overseeing hydro-projects in the Brahamaputra and Barak Basin, convened a hurried meeting on June 29, 2005. But ap has so far refused to discuss the issue with the board. However, ap civil society groups are delighted. Bamang Anthony of Arunachal Citizen's Rights says, "The state government has taken a very wise decision. It should explore all sustainable alternatives and options."
The unlucky 25 | ||
Project |
Watershed |
Capacity (MW) |
Hegio | Subansire | 250 |
Emini | Dihang-Dibang | 295 |
Amulin | Dihang-Dibang | 235 |
Agoline | Dihang | 235 |
Rigong | Dihang-Dibang | 130 |
Kurung dam | Subansiri | 115 |
Tata | Dihang-Dibang | 360 |
Oju | Subansiri | 2,580 |
Attunli | Dihang-Dibang | 175 |
Naba | Subansiri | 1,290 |
Emra | Dihang-Dibang | 870 |
Etalin | Dihang-Dibang | 3,045 |
Naying | Dihang-Dibang | 495 |
Oju | Subansiri | 1,925 |
Niare | Subansiri | 1,405 |
Emra | Dihang-Dibang | 275 |
Minnying | Dihang-Dibang | 195 |
Elango | Dihang-Dibang | 180 |
Duimukh | Storage Subansire | 170 |
Mirak | Dihang-Dibang | 160 |
Hirong | Dihang-Dibang | 180 |
Malinye | Dihang-Dibang | 335 |
Mihumdon | Dihang-Dibang | 145 |
Demwe | Dihang-Dibang | 3,000 |
Kurung dam - I | Subansiri | 200 |
Source: Anon 2003, 50,000 megawatt hydro electric initiative, Union ministry of power, Delhi, May 24, 2003 |
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