NEW DELHI, Aug 6 � The hue-and-cry over construction of hydro-power projects in the North-East, notwithstanding, the Centre has identified a total number of 1,279 sites including 119 in Assam for setting up mini hydel plants with an estimated potential of 2598.63 MW.
The Centre on Tuesday further clarified that the mitigation measures recommended by the Joint Steering Committee constituted by National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) would be implemented concurrently with the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Power Project.
The measures would help in addressing concerns expressed by the agitating groups, claimed Minister of State of the Ministry of Power, Jyotiraditya M Scindia in a Rajya Sabha reply to a question by Biren Baishya.
The Joint Steering Committee submitted its report in August, 2012 with certain recommendations on feasible remedial measures in downstream areas. Some of the important mitigation measures suggested by the Joint Steering Committee included increasing the downstream discharge from 6 cumecs (initially planned) to 250 cumecs during lean season by running one turbine continuously 24 hours a day.
Protection measures in downstream areas up to 30 km, establishing flood forecasting and flood warning systems for flood mitigation and supervision of reservoir operation during flood season.
The recommendations also included proposals for development activities to be taken up for improvement in education, health, and infrastructure.
