Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has called on the Union government to address concerns related to downstream impacts before proceeding with the Dibang Valley Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh. In a letter to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal, Saikia expressed growing apprehensions about the project and its potential consequences for the state of Assam.
Saikia emphasized that the concerns surrounding the proposed Dibang project must be taken seriously to prevent adverse impacts on Assam. He recalled the issues faced during the Lower Subansiri project, noting the government’s previous disregard for safety, environmental, and livelihood concerns despite public appeals and expert warnings. This negligence resulted in years of protests across Assam led by student bodies, farmers, and civil society groups.
The Dibang Valley project, being larger and more ecologically sensitive, poses an even greater threat to fragile river ecosystems in districts such as Dhemaji, Tinsukia, and Dibrugarh. Saikia warned that repeating past mistakes could lead to renewed opposition and loss of public trust.
He referenced recommendations from the Assam Legislative Assembly’s House Committee from 2010 concerning the upper Brahmaputra stream and a report by the Technical Expert Committee for the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project. These documents, he argued, should be taken into account by the Union government.
In his letter, Saikia urged the government to implement several measures before granting final clearance for the project. He called for structured public consultations in potentially affected downstream districts, the use of local languages, and the involvement of elected panchayat leaders and independent experts. He also recommended an independent cumulative impact assessment of the Dibang project and upstream hydroelectric projects to evaluate risks related to flooding, sedimentation, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic displacement.
Additionally, he stressed the need for formal approval from the Assam government and the involvement of local administrations in project planning and safety measures. He highlighted the importance of conducting structural safety reviews by neutral technical institutions and implementing advance mitigation frameworks that include early warning systems and long-term ecological monitoring.
Saikia concluded by stating that learning from the Lower Subansiri experience is crucial for fostering a transparent and scientifically informed approach to hydropower development in the Northeast. He emphasized that the aspirations and anxieties of the people of Assam must be respected, advocating for decisions that are just, inclusive, and ecologically balanced to enhance cooperative federalism and environmental justice.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/congress-urges-centre-to-address-assams-downstream-concerns-on-dibang-project-1587243
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Publish Date: 2025-08-04 14:28:00
