NEW DELHI, Apr 24: Assam and Arunachal today assured the Centre that the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Project would be put back on track immediately and there would no further delay in the project.

This was informed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Assam counterpart Sarbananda Sonowal during a meeting with Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal wherein the latter took a comprehensive review of issues relating to Power and Hydro Power Development in Arunachal Pradesh.

Reiterating his stand over Lower Subansiri Project, CM Pema Khandu said “This project has been stuck for a long time. It is perhaps time that a meeting along with CM of Assam is called to kick start this project. Local residents of Arunachal Pradesh have huge expectations from this project, which will be a first step in realizing the hydro dream of the state”

Khandu raised the issue of fast tracking the Khuppi-Bomdila-Tawang 132 KV Transmission Line and Bomdila-Kalaktang 132 KV Transmission Line.  Union Minister Power directed the CMD Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) to start implementation of work of this line over the next few months.

The Chief Minister also raised the issue of providing local employment for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh in Hydro Power Project being implemented by NEEPCO.  Union Minister Power directed CMD NEEPCO to visit Arunachal Pradesh and discuss with the CM the demands of local youth for employment.

Khandu further raised the issue of establishing a Centre of Hydro Power Excellence to build local engineering capabilities for project preparation.  Union Minister Power agreed to support this project and house it in NERIST. Goyal impressed on the need for 100% consumer metering to cut down losses and even offered to finance the initiative completely.

While informing that Kameng (600 MW) and Pare (110 MW) hydropower projects are scheduled to be commissioned this year after much delay, Khandu requested Goyal to firmly advise NEEPCO to complete the two projects this year without further delay. Apparently, Kameng has been projected for completion for January 2018 and Pare by December 2017. “NEEPCO authorities are indicating slippage of timelines again by a few months”, Khandu said while asking the Union Minister to issue a firm direction to the PSU to respect the given deadline and time frame.

While requesting the ministry to expedite the proposals of Rs 83.32 crores which has been submitted for gap funding of incomplete projects under PM packaged in border villages totaling to nearly 30 MW capacity and for financial support of Rs 580.89 crores submitted to MNRE for 64 micro mini and small hydro projects with a capacity of 27.7 MW, Khandu justified that these proposals are meant for border villages illumination and therefore need to be accorded positive priority.

Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly Speaker TN Thongdok and Commissioner Power Ashish Kundra accompanied the CM during the meeting.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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