NHPC projects to resume work after NGT move in Arunachal Pradesh: Report

WITH the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on November 26 rejecting an appeal filed by social activists against the constitution of a three member expert committee to study the 2,000-MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric project on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the government is expecting to resume work on two of the country’s largest hydroelectric projects which is planned by the NHPC at Lower Subansiri and Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh. The combined capacity of the projects is 4,800 MW.
“This is a very positive development in the hydroelectric sector where no...
new project has taken off in the last three-four years. With this order, we expect work to resume on the project. The expert panel will hopefully submit its report in the next two-three months,” said a government official.
The government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court against stay on the two projects without a hearing. However, the organisations opposing the projects are preparing to approach the Supreme Court, according to people aware of the matter.
The government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court against stay on the two projects without a hearing. However, the organisations opposing the projects are preparing to approach the Supreme Court, according to people aware of the matter.
The case was filed in NGT by Assam Public Works and Tularam Gogoi demanding fresh formation of an expert committee with better local representation and limited government intervention. NGT on Monday retained the three-member committee, including Prabhas Pandey, PM Scott and ID Gupta.
“We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the applicant. We did not find any merit in these applications,” the tribunal order said. The litigation had stopped work at the project for nearly nine months after the case was filed in the tribunal, which had reserved the matter.
In the matter of the 2,800-MW Dibang multipurpose project, the NGT had in its judgement on November 13, dismissed the appeal filed by appellant Pradip Kumar Bhuyan against the government for granting environment clearance to the project. The tribunal upheld the environmental clearance accorded to the project in the lower Dibang valley district.
“The court said adequate studies had been undertaken to ensure sustainable implementation of the project. The court, however, has asked the implementing agency to meet all conditions laid down in the environment clearance scrupulously,” said a person aware of the matter. The government official said NHPC will shortly call bids to award turnkey contracts to build a 70-meter high concrete dam on the Dibang river.