GOVERNMENT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION PUBLIC RELATIONS & PRINTING NAHARLAGUN

NO.IPR(PR)86/2000 Dated Naharlagun the May 10, 2005

Press Release (No. 247)

Naharlagun:- In the backdrop of mass protest rally against the NHPC authorities for their sneer failure to deliver Mini Hydel Project at Kamba, a coordination meeting attended by the officers of NHPC, Power Grid, Police and administrative officers was held at Along under the Chairmanship of Shri T. Bam, In charge Deputy Commissioner, Along on May 6 last, reports DIPRO Along.

Initiating the discussion, Shri Bam said that the mass unrest on May 4 last in which more than three thousand people took to street is simply a manifestation of pent up anger and rage of disgruntled people for not fulfilling the long awaited desire of power supply in West Siang as per the commitment given by NHPC by March last of this year. He recalled the meeting of 10th January held at DC's Conference Hall among administration, public and NHPC authorities in which all problems faced by NHPC authorities were heard patiently and police forces were deployed
in the work site to speed up the work as per request made and NHPC authorities in turn too assured commissioning of the hydel project by 31st March last. The mishap of 25th March in which Desalting tank broke down, dashed the hope of getting the power supply and created the recent social unrest. He asked the NHPC authorities to spell out their intricate problems and address the issue in a more focused way to diffuse the prevailing tension. He reiterated that higher authorities of NHPC should have attended in such crisis and clears their stand and future course of action to ease out the mounting social tension. The corporation which is all set to embark upon much bigger projects in the
district should be able to get the cooperation and goodwill of the local people, he insisted.

The meeting thread barely discussed the resolutions adopted by the public. In order to give a ray of hope to initial set back, the NHPC authorities were pressed to manage temporary power supply at Along township by meeting few hours of fuel expenses of existing DG set at Along town in consultation with their higher authorities. As regard to
installation of Hume pipe to run single turbine, the Chief Engineer NHPC clarified that it will be harmful for the machine in the long run. It was also disclosed by the Power Grid Corporation that Ranganadi power supply is likely to be available at Along by December this year and efforts will be made soon to tie up with the competent authorities. It has also been decided to disconnect all illegal and unauthorized power from emergency line and criminal cases will be registered against any offenders. The EE power Along said that 70 KW Kombo hydel has to be generated and sold out as govt. revenue as per its existing strength and committee has identified the establishment and location to supply power from emergency line. Interested entrepreneurs can be allowed to operate their generators in various locations in consultation with power department. The consumers will use only electric posts but not the service line that too at their own risk.

It may be recalled that agitated people of all categories numbering more than 3000 came to street to mark their protest in the form of rally. In a public meeting that followed the rally, public vociferously asserted that NHPC have let rayed their hope and set 4th June as deadline to mitigate their demands or face further necessary action. Meanwhile, the district administration is making series of communications through letters, Fax and telephone with higher authorities of NHPC Power Grid and State Electrical department to improve the power scenario of the
district, the report added.


(Purabi Taikam)
PRO,DIPR