Guwahati, December 13 (NNN): Assam wants more power supply from a project located in the neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. However, the issue is never an inter-state.Demanding the allocation of 600MW, the government of Assam said it would not sign any memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC) unless it agrees to allocating 600MW of free power from the Lower Subansiri Hdro Electric Project (LSHEP).
It can be noted that NHPC is almost 45% through with the LSHEP on river Subansiri. Much of the 2000MW project at Gerukamukh is in the Arunachal Pradesh side of the inter-state border. The hydropower PSU had signed a deal with Arunachal Pradesh long ago. It needs to ink a pact with Assam before starting generation.
"We are being offered 208MW from the project as per the Gadgil Formula for allocation of free power from Central sector projects. We will sign the MoU with NHPC only after it accedes to our demand of 600MW free power," said Assam power minister Pradyut Bordoloi, adding his government was hopeful of a favourable decision by New Delhi.
Bordoloi, however, panned various pressure groups including the All Assam Students' Union for opposing the LSHEP project and stalling work. Such protests, he said, was leading to cost escalation.
Meanwhile, Jaipur-based Jal Biradari has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to have a relook at another controversial hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh -- the 1750MW Demwe Lower on river Lohit pursued by a private firm.
"The project site is perilously close to Parashuram Kund, a heritage site, besides being in conflict with the cultural and spiritual tradition of local Mishi tribal people," said Jal Biradari chairman Rajendra Singh. "The environmental clearance was wrongly given to this project in 2010," he added.
It can be noted that NHPC is almost 45% through with the LSHEP on river Subansiri. Much of the 2000MW project at Gerukamukh is in the Arunachal Pradesh side of the inter-state border. The hydropower PSU had signed a deal with Arunachal Pradesh long ago. It needs to ink a pact with Assam before starting generation.
"We are being offered 208MW from the project as per the Gadgil Formula for allocation of free power from Central sector projects. We will sign the MoU with NHPC only after it accedes to our demand of 600MW free power," said Assam power minister Pradyut Bordoloi, adding his government was hopeful of a favourable decision by New Delhi.
Bordoloi, however, panned various pressure groups including the All Assam Students' Union for opposing the LSHEP project and stalling work. Such protests, he said, was leading to cost escalation.
Meanwhile, Jaipur-based Jal Biradari has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to have a relook at another controversial hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh -- the 1750MW Demwe Lower on river Lohit pursued by a private firm.
"The project site is perilously close to Parashuram Kund, a heritage site, besides being in conflict with the cultural and spiritual tradition of local Mishi tribal people," said Jal Biradari chairman Rajendra Singh. "The environmental clearance was wrongly given to this project in 2010," he added.
