RAJU DAS
SHILLONG, Feb 25 – The Centre must carry out prior scientific studies of upstream power projects before giving clearance, to minimise impact of flash floods in the region, the North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC) today recommended.
NERPC president and Assam Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said a delegation from the committee would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon and submit the recommendation. The decision was taken at the committee’s 7th meeting here.
Cumulative study on the impact of upstream projects on downstream must be undertaken by the Centre before giving clearance to such power projects to avoid flash floods downstream, Bordoloi said after the meeting.
The Minister said that several upstream power projects have been given clearance in the region so far. However, detailed studies were not carried out regarding these projects having potential to trigger flash floods and subsequently cause loss of lives, property and affect bio-diversity downstream.
Last year, over 50,000 people were displaced in Assam due to flash flood after the Brahmaputra breached several of its embankments. Many lost their lives and properties due to the flash flood.
Bordoloi said such flash flood was caused, to an extent, due to upstream projects on the Ranganadi, Kopili and Kurichu.
Besides this, the NERPC also decided to demand from the Centre that it should provide 100 per cent funding for construction of transmission lines in the region. Now, the Centre provides 90 per cent of the fund and the States generate the rest.
The region faces acute shortage of power during winters. This, Bordoloi said, can be addressed by the Centre providing additional power from some of the thermal units in the country.
Currently, the region gets 60 per cent power from hydel units and the rest from thermal power plants. NERPC suggested today that the trend be reversed to meet the region’s power need with rivers running dry during winters.
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