NHPC Opposes Assam’s Plan on Technical Team

Guwahati, Oct 27 : The NHPC Ltd has opposed the Assam Government’s proposal for inclusion of the members of the expert group that went through the issues connected with the downstream impact of the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHEP), in the technical team proposed for conducting seismological studies concerning the LSHEP, reports leading power sector energy sector portal energylineindia.com in its today’s issue.

The portal has quoted NHPC sources as stating that the inclusion of the members of the group ‘would preclude a neutral opinion.’

Instead the NHPC has proposed that the team should involve only internationally acclaimed seismologists, under the guidance of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), as all technical clearances, including the seismological design parameters, are accorded by the agency, based on the recommendations of the Central Water Commission and Geological Survey of India.

The power company has also called for inclusion of a seismology expert from the NCSDP in the team, says the portal.

When contacted, Assam Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said that the Assam Government has not received any communication from the NHPC on the matter. “We will oppose if the NHPC goes for such a stand. We want experts from Assam also in the committee. Some of the members of the expert group that studied the downstream impact of the LSHEP may be included in the team,” said Bordoloi.

However, the news portal has reported the NHPC asserting that the joint expert committee (JEC) for assessing downstream impact of the hydel projects should be constituted under the aegis of the Assam Government. The Assam Government has demanded the JEC.

The power company has claimed that it would help implementing relevant mitigation measures in the downstream areas in more effective manners. For, acquiring data of flood-prone areas in the downstream of the Subansiri projects would be easier for a locally managed body.

The JEC would comprise officials of the Assam Government and the NHPC and it would examine the vital issues related to bank erosion and flood protection.

It needs mention here that the LSHEP, with eight units of 250 MWs each is planned to generate 7,421 million units (MU) in a 90 per cent dependable year.

As per latest estimates, construction activities at the first three units of the project are likely to be completed by March 2012, while the five remaining units are expected to be commissioned by December 2012, reports the portal.