Government today dismissed reports that Brahmaputra river in Arunachal Pradesh has dried up and said that its average monthly flow has been better than the previous years.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent H Pala said, “There is no evidence that Brahmaputra river had dried up in the state recently.

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today appealed to the anti-dam protestors of the Siang belt of the state and the members of Adi Student Unions to come forward with their grievances and discuss the matter with the government to find out an amicable solution.

Addressing on the occasion of 5th Ntishi Day celebration, organised by Nyishi Elite Society (NES) at Indira Gandhi Park here, the Chief Minister said, “Hydro-power could be the major source of income of the state.

Former chief minister and AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has expressed his serious concern over the unexpected drop in the water level of the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh and urged the State Government to seriously look into the matter. The Assembly Speaker, Pranab Kumar Gogoi, while agreeing to Mahanta’s concern, also urged the State Government to conduct a detailed study in this regard.

Keeping close watch on developments, says govt. The government today sought to dispel apprehensions that China was drying up the Brahmaputra’s mighty tributary Siang. The under-construction bridge over the Brahmputra at Bogibil in Dibrugarh. While the External Affairs Ministry reiterated that there was no evidence of construction of any dam on the river by China on its side, the Water Resources Ministry assured that India was keeping a “constant watch on all the developments that have a bearing on India’s interests and will take necessary measures to protect them”.

State-owned NTPC Ltd has wrapped up the pre-feasibility report for a proposed 9,750 MW Siang Upper hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh. It is moving fast on the strategic project since India realises it is urgent to speed up building dams on the Brahmaputra and establish “lower riparian right”. This will help New Delhi create a strong bargaining position to detract China from building hydel projects on the upper reaches of the river.

ITANAGAR/LAKHIMPUR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Friday sought intervention of Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in the on-going agitation against 2000 mw Lower Subansiri project at Gerukamukh.

The development took place after protesters served a two-day ultimatum on the Assam government to break the impasse and threatened to launch a “total blockade”.

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh government on Wednesday said Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project would be finished in time despite ongoing blockade in neighbouring state of Assam.

“Assam government should take measures to control the situation so that people of Arunachal Pradesh are not harassed unnecessarily,” Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki told reporters here.

ITANAGAR: Three districts of Arunachal Pradesh have been facing acute shortage of essential commodities due to on going indefinite economic blockade.

The agitation is spearheaded by Krishan Mukti Sangram Samiti(KMSS) in several parts of Assam in protest against the Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project (LSHP).

Surface communication to three Siang districts in Arunachal Pradesh has been disrupted after a fresh flood hit Dhemaji in Assam on Friday.

Floods in Gai Nadi due to heavy rains in upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh had breached a portion of NH-52 near Samarajan in Dhemaji district, cutting road communication with East, West and Upper Siang districts, official sources said on Sunday.

A team of Assam Water Resources Department technocrats and media persons will visit the area.

Itanagar, 21 AUG: With flash floods in Assam disrupting surface transport the Siang districts in landlocked Arunachal Pradesh are facing acute shortage of essential commodities and petroleum products for the seventh day today.
Official sources today said East, West and Upper Siang districts have been cut off from the rest of Arunachal Pradesh for the last one week after flash floods breached a large portion of the NH-52 at Gainadi in Dhemaji district of Assam.