The raging debate over viability of mega dams in the seismologically sensitive North-east notwithstanding, the Centre has clarified that no conclusive study on non-suitability of construction of large dams in Brahmaputra region has come to the notice. Altogether 165 power projects were granted environmental clearance and 143 power projects were granted forest clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forests during the past three years.

The third public hearing for the 2700 MW Lower Siang Hydro Electric Project scheduled at Aalo, headquarters of West Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh, has been postponed indefinitely following pressure from protestors opposing the mega project in the Siang Valley. The first public hearing on the project at Jeying in Upper Siang district on April 17 and the second one at Rottung in East Siang district yesterday were postponed after clashes erupted between anti-dam protestors and security forces.

The expert appraisal committee for river valley and hydropower projects has suggested to the Union ministry of environment and forests to rectify the Environment Impact Assessment Notification to include the public consultation in downstream areas. The issue of holding public consultation in the downstream areas has been raised by number of civil society organisations in the Northeast.

GUWAHATI, March 14 – Anti-mega dam activists today held an assembly by the river Siang on the occasion of the International Day of Action against Dams and for Rivers, which is meant for removal of the dams and restoration of the rivers, among others. It is a day to educate one another about the threats facing our rivers, and learn about better water and energy solutions. It is observed as per the decision of the first international meeting of the representatives of the dam-affected people of 20 countries held in1997 at Curitiba, Brazil.

GUWAHATI, March 5 – Contrary to the popular belief, the base flow or the lean period flow of the Siang, which is the major contributor to the Brahmaputra, the lifeline of Assam, has not diminished. At least the Central Water Commission (CWC) data available with the official sources here suggest so. Siang’s contribution to the total discharge of the Brahmaputra is worked out to be 33 per cent at Pandu in the city.

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).

SILAPATHAR, Oct 17 – For the mega projects of Dhemaji and North Lakhimpur districts, boulders are being collected from the river beds of Likabali, Siji, Garo, Padi and Ego in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh for construction works. The people of West Siang feel that largescale collection of boulders from hilly areas is responsible for the devastation in the lower reaches of the river beds. The public expressed this before a joint team of Dhemaji district administration and journalists which visited West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh for geographical study of the Gai river.

GUWAHATI, Sept 30 – The subway breached by the Gai River at Gainadi area about a week back, was restored today by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) facilitating restoration of the road communication link between Silapathar, Jonai areas of Dhemaji district and the East and West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of the country.

The subway was breached by the Gai River on September 24. The BRO built the subway following the Gai washing away a portion of the NH-52 in the Gainadi area on August 15 last.