NEW DELHI, Nov 20 � In the face of agitations against construction of hydro electric projects in Arunachal Pradesh, an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources has recommended that the sub-basin Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) studies may be taken up in major tributaries of Brahmaputra River.
The Centre has further clarified that a majority of the hydro power projects allotted by Arunachal Pradesh Government are to be implemented as run-of-river (RoR) schemes and have limited role in aggravating floods in downstream areas.
Detailing the measures taken up by the Centre, the Minister revealed that a comprehensive basin-wise, EIA studies for Lohit Basin has already been awarded by the Ministry of Environment and Forest to WAPCOS.
The projects allotted by the State Government are RoR schemes involving small storages, which do not require construction of mega dam and therefore, they have a very limited role in either aggravating or mitigating floods in downstream areas, Solanki argued.
In a repeat of what the Centre has been arguing all along, Minister of State for Power, Bharat Sinh Solanki said that construction of hydel projects is taken up only after obtaining all the necessary statutory and non-statutory clearances, including environment and forest clearance.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) is carrying out similar studies for Siang and Subansiri Basin in consultation with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Ministry of Environment and Forest, he informed.
After the allocation of the projects, extensive survey and investigation activities are carried out by the concerned project proponent, based on which detailed project reports (DPRs) are prepared and submitted before the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for Techno Economic Clearance (TEC), the Minister said in a written reply to an un-starred question by Ramen Deka.
The CEA, before according concurrence, examines various technical aspects including dam safety and design of structure in consultation with (CWC) and Geological Survey of India (GSI).
Moreover, environment clearance is given only after carrying out detailed Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) studies according to the terms of reference (ToR) prescribed by Ministry of Environment and Forest. As the ToR are quite comprehensive and these include rehabilitation and re-settlement of the affected persons due to submergence, impact on flora and fauna of the area, impact on ecology, he explained.
Meanwhile, in a separate reply to an un-starred question by Biren Baishya, Minister of State for Water Resources, Vincent H Pala said that there have been changes in the courses of river Puthimari, Barnadi at Nagrijuli and River Jiadhal at Dhemaji, River Lohit at Dholla and River Dibang at Bahbari in NE Region.
He cited remote sensing data and other sources of information for the conclusion.
The action taken contemplated for taming the rivers include a scheme for protection of Nagrijuli Rangia town and Mukalmuwa, Barbhag area from floods, anti-erosion of Barnadi River, which has been drawn up by Brahmaputra Board. The project has been completed and the river has since been flowing along its original course, Pala claimed.
The MoWR of Government of Assam has taken up the scheme to tame the Jiadhal River along its defined course. The Brahmaputra Board has taken up the execution of comprehensive schemes to divert back the avulsed flow of River Dibang and Lohit on their original courses, he said.
As a result of the works executed so far, river Dibang is now flowing along its original course, the minister said.
About projects being undertaken by Brahmaputra Board, the Minister listed the works including the project to protect Majuli Island.
The Board has taken up anti-erosion works at Majuli in 2003-2004 as an immediate measure at a cost of Rs 5.92 crore. These works were followed by regular protection works under Phase I and 97.1 per cent works have been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 56.07 crore, Pala claimed.
The Board is currently executing Phase II and III works at a cost of Rs 115.03 crore and 18.28 per cent of the works have been completed, he claimed.
