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. 248)

Naharlagun:- The state Power Secretary, Er. T. Bagra and Chief Engineer hydro electric power, Er. Lipe Ete had attended an meeting held among NHPC, Power Grid, Public, administration and police under the Chairmanship of Shri T. Bam, In charge Deputy Commissioner, Along on May  8th last, report DIPRO Along. Sharing his views, the secretary power reiterated the NHPC to complete project within the stipulated time. The recent public unrest arising out of the breakdown of the Desalting tank of the hydel project is a serious matter and NHPC authorities should take concrete decision on the future course of action, he said and urged the corporation to look into the grievances of the people through temporary arrangement of light. He disclosed that the state power department will take up the restoration portion to generate one unit i.e. 2 MW of power on temporary basis as an alternative arrangement if NHPC is not in a position to restore it within 2-3 months .

Bagra disclosed that defective bearing at Janging Micro Hydel Project has been replaced and electricity supply at Along is likely to be available within two or three weeks. The 132 KV line from Ranganadi via Daporijo is also expected at Along by December this year. Arunachal has rich Hydro power potential and Govt. of India is banking on corporation like NHPC to tape its potential and in doing so it is important for the corporation to create their image in front of the public eyes. Any initial set back may create bad impression and tarnish their future image. He also express his sentiments as one the consumers of electricity and said that sufficient funds are always earmarked for Along and Pasighat to run the DG set at there are no alternative hydel for power generation. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Engineer Hydro power, Er.Lipe Ete disclosed that the mishap of 25th March was anticipated long back when he visited the site. The technical loopholes and other technical observations were clearly conveyed to NHPC authorities. The cause of break down of desalting tank can be attributed to excess flow of water in the tank as measures were not taken to block the entry point. The Komba mini-hydel project is also being taken care and renovation works are being taken up, he said. The In charge Deputy Commissioner, West
Siang highlighted detail problems of the power crisis at Along township and appealed state power department NHPC, Power Grid, engineers of the district and public to do their best to improve electricity supply at Along. The Chief Engineer, NHPC Siyom project Shri A.K. Mishra and Chief Engineer P.N.P. Singh said that concrete decision of The Corporation could not be spelt out without necessary directives from their higher authorities. They disclosed that DESIGN TEAM had already visited the sites and reports will be finalized soon and contractual and legal issues are being sorted with two-three weeks.

Speaking on behalf of public, Shri Togum Lollen came down heavily on NHPC for giving false commitment of supply electricity and said that public trust for NHPC is evaporating gradually The oldest district of Arunachal and its people are deprived of proper electricity despite getting privilege of having three power ministers in the past. He
insisted on alternative power supply by managing 600 liters of fuel to run the existing DG set of Along. Speaking on behalf of women welfare society, Smty Jumbom Ete said that hearts of the people have been broken with the break down of hydel project and pain and sentiment of the people should never be undermined by the authority and insisted on alternative arrangement. Submitting a public memorandum on the occasion on behalf of Along public, Shri Deba Loya demanded alternative arrangement of power supply, disconnection of emergency line irrespective of consumers status barring few important establishment, immediate repairing of collapsed Siru-micro hydel project and early delivery of power line from Ranganadi project, the report added.


(Purabi Taikam)
PRO,DIPR