Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overture to derive benefits out of the hydro-powerpotential in neighbouring Bhutan by helping the Himalayan country to set up dam projects, has been opposed by the anti-dam brigades in Assam apprehending disastrous impact of these dams in Assam valley.
In the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone of the 600 MW Kholongchu hydro-electric project in neighbouring Bhutan on Monday influential All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has demanded a White Paper from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government on the Bhutanese hydel project whose foundation has been laid by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The AASU said that though favoured good relation with neighbour Bhutan, it has to raise the demand for a White Paper on the Bhutanese hydel project, in view of the devastations caused in Assam valley by water released from Bhutan’s 60 MW Kurichu Hydel Project in 2004 and 2007.
Five districts of the State – Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon were
devastated by the water release from Bhutanese dam. Thirty-seven persons were killed in Baksa and Barpeta district on July 10, 2004. Sedimentation caused due to the flash floods on that occasion destroyed thousands of hectares of agriculture land in Assam’s district in the downstream.
“The White Paper should make it clear whether any study has been done on the cumulative downstream impacts of the dam projects in Bhutan on Assam areas and what measures are being taken to protect the interests of Assam from the adverse impacts of these projects,” AASU demands.
Another anti-dam crusader, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) has also opposed the move of the Union Government to help the Bhutanese Government to construct a 600-MW hydel project.
“The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have made a somersault on the issue of big dam projects with Prime Minister Modi laying the foundation stone of the above project,” KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said.
Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) has demanded a cumulative downstream impact assessment study of the hydel projects of Bhutan. It demanded a moratorium on all the upcoming hydro power projects in Bhutan, till the downstream impact study is done.
“A number of upcoming power projects in Bhutan are being financially supported by India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must review the policy of government’s policy to help Bhutan generate more hydro power given the apprehension of adverse downstream impact of these m projects on Assam,” the AJYCP said adding that Modi should keep in mind his election-time promise of promoting small hydro-power projects in the region to generate power instead of mega dam projects that are facing stiff opposition.