By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: An indefinite bandh has been called at the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project site from June 9 by a body representing affected families, which has also given NHPC a seven-day deadline to respond to a series of demands.
The announcement was made by the Subansiri Lower Project Implementation Committee (SULPIC), which submitted a memorandum to the Executive Director of the project at Dollungmukh in Arunachal Pradesh’s Kamle district.
According to the committee, years of correspondence and meetings with authorities have failed to resolve issues raised by families affected by the 2,000 MW project. It said all available administrative avenues had been exhausted without satisfactory results.
The proposed protest is scheduled to begin at 5 am on June 9 and will continue until the concerns raised by the committee are addressed.
Among its key demands, SULPIC has sought the inclusion of the Bini, Kina and Nido clans in the category of Project Affected Families and official recognition of Persin Block as a project-affected area.
The organisation has also urged authorities to ensure that the Executive Director’s office functions from Kolaptukar, citing a 2010 agreement between the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Nyishi Elite Society.
The committee also raised concerns over the No Objection Certificate issued for commissioning the project, alleging that certain environmental requirements and directions of the National Green Tribunal have not been fully complied with.
It has sought a fresh assessment of the dam’s backwater impact, a DGPS-based survey of affected areas, scientific disposal of excavated waste material, and the removal of trees and vegetation from zones likely to be submerged.
Questioning the land acquisition process, SULPIC claimed that the assessment of more than 1,500 hectares relied heavily on aerial mapping without adequate ground verification. It alleged that several affected families received compensation that did not accurately reflect the extent of their landholdings.
Referring to a field inspection conducted earlier this year, the organisation claimed that signs of backflow and submergence had already been observed in several locations. It argued that a higher reservoir level could expand the affected area and bring additional land under impact.
The committee further expressed concern over vegetation still standing within the projected submergence zone, warning that failure to clear such material could affect water quality and create ecological problems once the area is inundated.
A fresh physical survey of the affected area, revised compensation for newly impacted landowners and immediate implementation of environmental safeguards are among the additional demands listed in the memorandum.
SULPIC stated that affected families are prepared to pursue legal options and continue protest programmes if no action is taken.
The allegations and demands remained unanswered by NHPC at the time this report was filed.