NORTH LAKHIMPUR, Nov 7 � The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti today raised the mega dam issue of Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric plant in Gerukamukh by saying that political parties supporting the construction of mega dams in Assam would be voted out in the ensuing state Assembly polls early next year. This was stated by Akhil Gogoi, leader of the KMSS in a press meet in North Lakhimpur Press Club.
Gogoi also demanded that KMSS should be allowed to be a party to participate in the debate during the Assembly session on the issue of mega dam. Taking a complete political turn, KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said that Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had been acting as being a broker of the corporate world rather than safeguarding the interests of his people. He said that any political party supporting the construction of mega dam over Subansiri in Gerukamukh in Dhemaji district would be cornered by KMSS�s mass campaign in every village of Assam during the coming Assembly polls.
Gogoi categorically said that any political party, be it Congress, AGP, BJP or AUDF would be rejected by the people of Assam in the election if they support the dam. The KMSS also expressed its concern at the ambiguity of the Government of India as its MoFE had ordered the suspension of the dam in Polabaram in Andhra Pradesh as it was objected by the state governments of Orissa and Chattisgarh while, at the same time endorsing the construction of the more bigger dam in Assam and Arunachal Pardesh.
Gogoi also clarified that the concept of multi-purpose mega dams was nothing but a big joke as worldwide there had been no such dams with flood moderation and irrigation purposes presently. He also gave the example of the dam projects over river Bhagirathi where the government had suspended work even after the construction progressed considerably after spending Rs 1000 crore and argued that why the same could not be done in Gerukamukh. The KMSS also disclosed that the NHPC had constructed the dam work in Gerukamukh well above the mark mentioned in the EIA Report submitted to the expert committee enquiring the downstream effect of the project.
In the EIA report the NHPC said that the foundation of the dam was 17 meters under the ground from the river bed. However, Gogoi alleged that the NHPC had been constructing the dam only 1.5 meters bellow the river bed.
