NEW DELHI, June 18 — The major hydroelectric projects in the north-eastern region have been held up because of the delay in environment and forest clearances, and threat from militants. The ambitious plan of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to generate bulk of the promised 50,000 MW of additional hydel power from the North-East is under threat of getting derailed in the face of the hue and cry raised by various NGOs.
Work on the 2000 MW Subansiri (Lower) Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh was about to start when an objection over the environment clearance stalled it. Major works could not be started for want of final forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), chairman-cum-managing director of NHPC, Yogendra Yadav said.
Confirming that NHPC was facing hurdles from environment groups, the CMD said that problem over Subansiri Project could be settled only after intervention by the Prime Minister’s Office. The issue was sorted out within seven days of PMO’s intervention, the CMD said, assuring that the work was due to start shortly.
The CMD announcing the financial results of NHPC for the fiscal year 2003-2004, said that they have gained experience in such matters and have been able to convince the courts addressing the issues of environmental concerns.
The NHPC currently has several mega hydroelectric projects lined up in the North-East including the 1600 MW Subansiri Middle and 2000 MW Subansiri Upper, 1600 MW Siang Lower, 1000 MW Siang Middle and the 11,000 MW Siang Upper.
Of these, Subansiri Upper and Middle and Siang Middle are proposed to be taken up along with 3000 MW Dibang forest, also in Arunachal, during the 11th Plan.