Arunachal Pradesh: All you need to know about the controversial Subansiri Dam

The Subansiri Lower Dam which has been officially named the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is a dam being constructed on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The under construction dam has met several problems which include landslides. There has also been wide opposition from not just environment groups but Buddhist monks from Arunachal Pradesh who were recently embroiled in violence. Here are some must know facts about the project:

• Some environmental impacts unique to very large dams will result from completion of the Subansiri Project, both upstream and downstream of the dam site. These impacts will include ecosystem damage and loss of land.
• According to experts, the dam ignores flood control expert.Transferring the work of Water Resources Department of Subansiri Basin from the Brahmaputra Board to the public and private sector contravenes the Brahmaputra Board Act.
• Planning through public and private sector to utilise water resources for the single purpose of hydropower development also contravenes the basic premise of the Act, namely flood control, other benefits including hydropower generation as incidental.
• There is also an increased seismic threat to the dam as assessed by IIT Roorkee.
• According to official data, 38 families will be displaced if the dam is completed.
• The foundation on which the dam rests is weak according to reports. The sandstone on which it rests actually behaves like sand rock. Its adequacy and competence to support the concrete gravity dam is not established satisfactorily

(TNT Desk)

image: internet