Concerns Raised Over Dibang Valley Hydroelectric Project's Impact on Assam

Opposition Leader Calls for Caution

Guwahati, Aug 4: Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition in Assam's Legislative Assembly, has urged the central government to consider the downstream implications for Assam before proceeding with the Dibang Valley Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.

In a correspondence addressed to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal, Saikia expressed his concerns regarding the project and its potential repercussions for Assam.

“I am reaching out to highlight the issues surrounding the proposed Dibang project,” he stated, warning that Assam might experience significant downstream effects if these concerns are not proactively managed.

Reflecting on the consequences of the Lower Subansiri project, Saikia pointed out that despite public outcry and expert advice, the government proceeded without adequately addressing safety, environmental, and livelihood issues.

This oversight, he noted, led to years of protests in Assam, involving various groups including students, farmers, and civil society organizations.

Saikia emphasized that the Dibang Valley project, being much larger and ecologically sensitive, poses an even greater risk to the delicate river ecosystems and communities in districts such as Dhemaji, Tinsukia, and Dibrugarh.

“If previous errors are repeated, the project could face significant opposition and jeopardize public confidence,” he warned.

He referenced the recommendations made by the Assam Legislative Assembly’s House Committee in 2010 regarding the upper Brahmaputra stream as pertinent to this situation.

“Additionally, the findings of the Technical Expert Committee for the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, prepared by Dr. CD Thatte and Dr. MS Reddy, should also be considered,” the senior Congress leader noted in his letter to the Union Minister.

Saikia called on the Union Government to take specific actions before granting final approvals or moving forward with the project’s construction.

“(1) Conduct structured and inclusive public consultations in all potentially impacted downstream districts in Assam, using local languages and involving elected panchayat leaders, affected farmers, and independent experts. (2) Initiate an independent cumulative impact assessment of the Dibang project and all upstream hydroelectric projects on the Brahmaputra basin to evaluate flood risks, sedimentation, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic displacement. (3) Secure formal approval from the Assam Government and involve downstream district administrations in project planning, safety measures, and water flow management systems. (4) Include structural safety evaluations considering seismic vulnerabilities, climate-induced rainfall variability, and dam-break scenarios, conducted by impartial technical institutions. (5) Establish advance mitigation frameworks including early warning systems, flood buffer strategies, disaster compensation, and long-term ecological monitoring,” Saikia outlined.

He concluded, “Learning from the Lower Subansiri experience is essential for fostering a transparent, collaborative, and scientifically informed approach to hydropower development in the North East. The hopes and concerns of the people of Assam must be honored. A fair, inclusive, and ecologically sound decision will significantly enhance cooperative federalism and environmental justice.”