GUWAHATI, May 6 � The ABC India Ltd, which is carrying the nine turbines meant for the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project (LSHEP) in three barges, assured today that it would move the barges with the turbines out of Assam within the next seven to eight days� time subject to Customs approval.
This assurance from the transport company came in the wake of the agitation launched by the members of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) at the Pandughat where the turbine carrying barges have been anchored for the past two days.
Announcing this at a press conference held at the Pandughat here this afternoon, KMSS general secretary Akhil Gogoi said that since 11-30 am yesterday, the Sangram Samiti members have been staging demonstration in front of the barges at the Pandughat. Earlier, they resisted the unloading of turbines at Bishwanathghat in Sonitpur district on May 2 and had forced the district administration of Sonitpur to drive the barges out of the district.
Both the Kolkata and Guwahati offices of the ABC India Ltd have assured the Sangram Samiti in writing to move the barges out of the State. While the Kolkata office of the transport company said that it would move the barges out of Pandu today, the Guwahati office said that it would need the customary papers of the Customs Department to take the barges to Kolkata. This may require �little more time� for moving the barges out of Assam, said the Guwahati office of the transport company.
But the arrangement is that until the Customs papers are obtained the barges would be stationed at Dhubri, Akhil Gogoi said.
He informed the media persons that the local people Pandu had extended all possible help to the agitating KMSS members and they also took part in the agitation physically.
He warned all transport companies against helping the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which is executing the LSHEP by transporting any of the project materials.
Besides, he warned the Government of India also of intense agitational programmes in case it goes against the wishes of the people of Assam on the issue of the mega dams.
Akhil Gogoi also made an appeal to the contractors and businessmen of the State to review their decision to cooperate with the NHPC authorities in implementing the LSHEP. He also called upon the peasants not allow erection of the Power Grid of India towers on the plots of land they own.
The Arunachal Pradesh Government should review its hydropower policy and consult the Government of Assam while formulating its hydropower policy. The Government of the neighbouring state has no right to go unilaterally for construction of dams over the rivers of interstate character, he asserted.
