Subansiri Project must be closed as per recommendations of Assam Expert Committee: AASU

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: "A mega river dam project to generate 2000 mega watt electricity cannot be set up in a highly seismic zone. So, Subansiri Project must be closed as per the recommendations of Assam Expert Committee," stated AASU (All Assam Students' Union) general secretary Sankar Jyoti Baruah on Wednesday at Gerukamukh.

He said so before media persons while inspecting the the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP) site in order to take stock of the latest situation caused by the landslide and other natural catastrophic phenomena there recently.

He further stated, "Every word uttered by AASU about the adverse impact to be caused by the SLHP is turning out to be true. In every rainy season, natural calamities have hit the project site before it has been commissioned. At present, the project has to tackle with nature's fury. Due to heavy downpour in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, excess water in the catchment area of the project has been rolling over the main dam and inundating an extensive area under Lakhimpur and Dhemaji district. Landslide has turned the fifth diversion tunnel non-functional and rapid surge of water has washed it away. Even after so much adverse effects, NHPC and Union Government have continued the construction works of the project taking the advantage of COVID-19 and lockdown situation. They have not initiated any step to secure the life and properties of the downstream area of the River Subansiri."

Expressing resentment, he further asserted that the then BJP national president, Rajnath Singh took part in the agitation at Gerukamukh opposing the SLHP.

"Now the party took U-turn from its past stand with regard to the sensitive issue. AASU has agitated against big river dam project and this will be continued in the upcoming days in association with public," Sankar Jyoti Baruah declared.

The AASU delegation, led by Sankar Jyoti Baruah, comprised of AASU vice-president Binay Dube, assistant general secretary Prashanta Dutta, along with many other central committee office bearers, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur Dhemaji, Charaideo district unit office bearers, and supported by almost 200 AASU activists from Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts.

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