Govt should take actions following Kopili disaster, says expert

Subimal Bhattacharjee, an expert on the northeast, while talking to ETV Bharat said that Kopili accident should be a strong example for the government to take corrective measures to avert any more such disaster. Parliamentary reports compiled by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) suggested that ongoing illegal mining surrounding the Kopili river has turned the water acidic.

New Delhi: The death of four officials engaged with 275 MW Kopili hydropower project along Assam-Meghalaya border has raised a huge concern over other upcoming power projects in the northeast.

While taking to ETV Bharat, Subimal Bhattacharjee, an expert on northeast said that this (Kopili accident) should be a strong example for the government to take corrective measures to avert such disasters in the future.

"The incident was really unfortunate that took place at the Kopili hydropower station along the Assam-Meghalaya border. As per initial reports, the incident took place due to the acidic water of the Kopili river. There should be strong regulatory enforcement of the Supreme Court order of banning illegal coal mining," said Bhattacharjee.

Parliamentary reports compiled by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) suggested that ongoing illegal mining surrounding the Kopili river has turned the water acidic.

"The government must give a relook over the security perspective over such power projects in the northeast. A complete security audit and technical feasibility should be looked into," said Bhattacharjee.

A water pipeline burst of NEEPCO hydropower station at Umrangshu along Assam-Meghalaya border on October 7 has led to the death of three NEEPCO officials and a civilian worker. A 16-day massive rescue operation carried by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have ultimately been able to retrieve bodies of all deceased.

Government of India has tagged Northeast as the biggest hydropower hub. Accordingly, the centre has also given a go-ahead for several upcoming power projects in the northeast especially in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

The 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Power project of National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) is one of the biggest hydropower projects of the government. The work for the much-hyped project was however stopped since 2012 following widespread protest against the power project.

The agitators including Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS), All Assam Students Union (AASU) have done that their project may bring ecological imbalance with a threat to the people living in downstream areas of the project.