NEW DELHI, May 26 � With no end in sight to the ongoing anti-dam agitation, National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has pinned its hope on the report of the two-member Thatte-Reddy Committee to break the logjam. The two-member committee is scheduled to submit its report on May 31.
NHPC�s next course of action on implementation of the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydropower Project would depend on the recommendations of the Planning Commission-appointed C D Thatte and Reddy Committee. As reported by this newspaper, the technical experts are scheduled to rush down to Assam for a final round of consultation with the Technical Group that studied the project before they submit the report.
NHPC is committed to implementing the project and 50 per cent of the project work has been completed and Lower Subansiri is scheduled to be commissioned in four years, said chairman-cum-managing director of NHPC, ABL Srivastava, addressing a press conference.
NHPC is going to hold consultations with Government of Assam after the report of the two-member technical committee is submitted, said the CMD. The impasse over the Lower Subansiri Project, meanwhile figured at the annual board meeting of the NHPC.
Dwelling at length on the Lower Subansiri Hydropower Project, the CMD admitting that all project work has stopped since December 16, said it was a matter of concern for NHPC and Government of India is also anxious.
Defending the project, Srivastava said that the people of Assam would benefit from it. The issues at hand would be addressed, he said, adding that the project is in advance stage of completion.
Asked about the anti-dam movement in the region, the CMD said that country�s development requires cheap power options. The anti-dam lobby is not a solution, he said.
The Thatte and Reddy Committee has been requested to study the project. �We have an open mind and whatever recommendations the technical committee makes, whatever the technical parameters, we will accept,� said Srivastava.
Director (Projects) J K Sharma said Subansiri is NHPC�s first major project. Government of Assam�s Expert Group has made some observations regarding the downstream impact, flood control management and sedimentation. All these are under examination, he added.
