GUWAHATI, Jan 27 � Renowned expert in engineering seismology and geotechnical earthquake engineering Dr Sarada Kanta Sarma has underlined the need of impartial experts to study the dams that are coming up in the NE region. He was talking to The Assam Tribune.
He also expressed the apprehension that the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), or, any other dam authority in the NE region would release their stored water as soon as there is a major earthquake to ensure safety of their dams.
Dr Sarma is the Emeritus Reader in Engineering Seismology and a Senior Research Fellow at the Imperial College, London. He is a consultant to many internationally reputed civil engineering firms located in various parts of the globe. His 'Sarma Method of Seismic Stability of Earth Dams and Slopes' is acclaimed worldwide.
He has been a consultant on seismological aspects of dam designs and assessment of seismic hazards of civil engineering sites world over. He was invited by the Government of India too to assess the post-Bhuj earthquake situation. He is a visiting professor of many universities world over.
Dr Sarma maintained that the studies on the downstream impacts of the dam projects should cover the whole of the rivers on which the projects are built or being built.
Moreover, he said some body should be held accountable for the downstream impacts of these projects. The Central Government should be made to pass the necessary legislation for the purpose.
However, he made it clear that as an engineer he believes that humanity "should be able to build dams to any required seismological situations," provided "we know the situations."
It is the fault of the Assam Government to accept the terms of the Arunachal Pradesh Government, Central Government and the NHPC by allowing the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project (LSHEP) to be built in its present nature, compromising the interest of the State on the downstream impact issue.
The Governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, India and the NHPC should now come forward to allay the fears of the downstream people, said the renowned engineering seismology expert.
Further, he said, the other states which will stand benefited from the NE power projects should assume the responsibility to make up for the loss of Assam caused by these projects.
