Assam: Subansiri river won’t dry, assures NHPC
First Published: 31st October, 2023 14:57 IST
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu visited the NHPC's Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project site in Assam today
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said that the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has assured that the Subansiri river, a major source of water and livelihood primarily for the people of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam, will not dry up in future. NHPC’s assurance comes days after a landslide blocked a diversion tunnel at the NHPC’s Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project stopping the flow of water in the river causing panic and fear among the people.
Minister Ranoj Pegu visited the project site this morning and took stock of the ongoing situation. After the review, the minister said that the river has been flowing normally since 10:30 PM of October 27. The Minister also shared a video on X showing the flow of the river.
In a post on X, the Minister said, “This morning, I visited NHPC LHEP at Gerukamukh to inquire about the Subansiri river drying up on October 27th. During the dam construction, five diversion tunnels were created. With the completion of the dam, four tunnels were closed, leaving one open for river flow. On the 27th, a landslide blocked the mouth of the 5th tunnel, causing a complete river blockage. Due to the lean season, authorities had to wait for the water level to reach 145 meters before it could flow through the release gates, which happened at 10:30 pm. Since then, the river has been flowing normally. NHPC assures that there won’t be future drying up, and the flow will always be maintained.”
Sharing a video from the site, Ranoj Pegu said, “Subansiri river flow through the release gate at the height of 145 meters above the sea level. The opening is of 15 meters.”
Interestingly this is the second landslide at the same location. A similar landslide impacted the project in March.
The diversion tunnel that was blocked by the landslide is responsible for redirecting the Subansiri’s water flow from the dam site to the downstream of the river maintaining a standard water volume in the downstream areas. The sudden stoppage of water and the river going dry triggered panic and concern among the locals. Several organisations protested the construction of the dam, said to be the biggest hydroelectric project undertaken in India so far.
Fishermen who are dependent on the Subansiri river for their livelihood said, “What will we do if the river dries up. There is no other alternative for us.”
A local woman said, “We never thought that the river will dry up some day. We consider the river as our Mother. Because of her we are alive. There will be uncertainty for many if the river dries further. People will suffer a lot if this happens again.”
The 2,000MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power project (LSHEP) is located on Subansiri River, which is on the border of, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
NHPC Limited commenced construction work of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project in January 2005 after obtaining forest clearance on October 12, 2004. However, due to agitations and protests by local stakeholders, the project construction work was stalled from December 2011 to October 2019. The project construction resumed from October 15, 2019, after the clearance by National Green Tribunal. The project is scheduled to begin operations from March 2024.
NHPC has informed that more than 90% of the total work of the project has already been completed. The construction of all major components, including dam, power house and hydro-mechanical works is fast progressing towards completion.
The remaining work of radial gates will be completed after the monsoon season and electricity generation is expected to begin by the end of Financial Year 2023-24.
On completion, the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project will generate approximately 7,500 million kilowatt-hours of power annually, in a 90%-dependable year, a PIB release of Jun 2023 said.
Also Read : Guwahati fake call center case: Bureaucrat’s absconding son arrested
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live World’s tallest Rhododendron in Nagaland impresses billionarie Anand Mahindra
11th May 2024Live Manipur: ITLF takes initiative to donate essentials to IDPs in Churachandpur
11th May 2024Live 1 year of Manipur violence: Developmental work comes to a grinding halt
11th May 2024Live Padma Shri Awardee Sano Vamuzo receives warm welcome at Dimapur Airport
11th May 2024WE RECOMMEND
Ayesha Hazarika, 1st British-Indian of Assamese descent joins House of Lords in UK Parliament
Baroness Ayesha Yusuf Hazarika is the daughter of Dr. Liyaqat Ali Hazarika from North Lakhimpur who moved to Glasgow in the 1960s.
11th May 2024Kooki, a Hindi film from Assam to be screened at Cannes Film Festival
Kooki is scheduled to be released nationwide on 28 June, 2024.
11th May 2024Rhino poacher killed in fierce gun battle with forest guards in Kaziranga National Park
The exchange of gunfire took place at the Agoratoli Range of the Kaziranga National Park.
11th May 2024Assam: Vegetable vendor’s son secures 90% in HS exam
Amit Roy secured 90% with letter marks in 5 subjects in the recently declared Higher Secondary School exams.
10th May 2024Assam: Oil rig collapses in Namrup, no casualities reported
The incident took place in Naharkatia Balimra during the ring down process in the oil well number 15.
10th May 2024