Guwahati, 27th October: Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi issued a stern warning on October 27 regarding the potential hazards associated with NHPC’s Subansiri Lower project. According to Gogoi, this project is causing substantial harm to the Subansiri River and posing a threat to the safety of nearby residents. The Chief of Raijor Dal expressed deep concern about the situation, emphasizing that the project has been a subject of protest for seven years by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, which succeeded in having it shut down. However, Gogoi pointed out that the BJP government has now reopened the project, leading to increased tensions.
Gogoi highlighted the alarming fact that the Subansiri River has significantly dried up, and the closure of the tunnel has caused a rise in water levels, amplifying the potential danger. He raised concerns about the security and integrity of the dam at the Subansiri Lower Project, warning of the looming risk of a dam failure.
Gogoi called for the immediate suspension and closure of NHPC’s Subansiri Lower project and stressed the importance of leaving the river undisturbed.
In a recent development, a major landslide at NHPC’s 2,000 MW Subansiri hydro project on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border resulted in the complete blockage of the only operational diversion tunnel, severely disrupting the river’s water flow. The diversion tunnel was a crucial component for maintaining water flow as the main dam spillway had not been completed. This incident has led to a significant reduction in downstream river flow, resulting in the drying up of the riverbed and posing threats to aquatic life.
The project’s commissioning deadline has been revised multiple times, with the current target set at the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project, a run-of-river scheme, is expected to generate approximately 7,500 million units of power annually in a “90 percent dependable year.” The project’s costs have also escalated significantly since its inception.
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