Assam org to approach SC against 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Project

An Assam-based organisation,Assam Public Works, has decided to approach to the Supreme Court against the 2000 MW mega Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project ,after National Green Tribunal gave its order in favour of the existing project.

New Delhi: Days after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given a go ahead to the 2000 MW mega Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power project (LSHEP) along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, Assam based organisation has decided to approach the Supreme Court against the existing project.

"We are not against the dam.We want changeover in the existing project," said Pradip Kumar Bhuyan, petitioner in the case.

If the dam is constructed in the present format, the entire lower stream will be in danger , Bhuyan said adding that not only the people, various endangered species in the Subansiri river will be in danger.

The NGT had recently gave its approval to a three member committee set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.The committee was set up to give recommendations over the mega project following widespread protest against the same.

State based organisation, Assam Public Works (APW), spearheading the movement against the dam has alleged that the members including Dr Prabhas Pande, Dr ID Gupta and PM Scott had given biased report over the project.

"The hydro power project has no effective flood control component. The riparian people have a naturally flowing bio diverse river from ages. But if the Subansiri project is completed as a dam as planned, the riparian people will be deprived even from the flowing river which is their life throb," said Bhuyan.

Although APW had earlier approached SC, it has again decided to approach the apex court after the NGT gave its order in favour of the project in its existing format.