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Subansiri dam: Over 50 pc project work completed

By AJIT PATOWARY

GUWAHATI, Sept 16 � As of today, slightly more than fifty per cent of the overall construction of the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project (LSHEP) is complete. The dam of the project is roughly about 33 per cent complete, while 95 per cent construction of its head race tunnel is complete. The construction of the project is expected to be completed in 2014.

Apprising these, highly placed sources in the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), the implementing agency of the project told this correspondent that if bandh and other such agitational activities do not hamper progress of the project execution, there seems to be no problem in sticking to the above deadline for completion of its construction activities.

Sources further maintained that 71 per cent construction of the surge tunnel of the project is also complete by now.

In regard to the HRT Intake � that is, the mouth of the tunnel, sources said that its 83 per cent construction is complete.

The NHPC authorities have three runner turbines in their possession at Gerukamukh project site of the LSHEP and construction work is going on to house these turbines. Construction of Units I and II is in advanced stage, while construction of Unit-III is also being taken up. The project will have eight units in all, with each having the generation capacity of 250 MW.

Sources claim that two pieces of such runner turbines were unloaded at Jogighopa from the barges.

When asked as to why the construction of the project is not kept in abeyance despite so much public outcry, till the final report of the expert committee set up by the Central Government comes out, sources said that the LSHEP construction work is carried on at the instance of the Central Government.

All the mandatory approvals to set up the project have been obtained. The Central Government has not asked the NHPC authorities to stop work and the Assam Government is also following the Central Government in this respect, said the sources.

On the issue of the CD Thatte-MS Reddy Committee appointed by the Central Government to examine the issues raised by the experts of the State concerning the safety and downstream impacts of the project, sources said that the expert committee report has been referred to the Central Government.

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