The Arunachal Times Villagers block road demanding scrapping of Kalai II dam State News Raju Mimi HAWAI, Jun 05: About 500 villagers of Hawai circle on Monday staged a dawn-to-dusk road blockade at Walong-Hawai road demanding scrapping of the 1200 MW Kalai II dam proposed on Lohit river. The villagers protested under the banner of Peoples Forum for Project Affected Families (PFPAF). Road communication at Hawai was totally disrupted for the whole day affecting even the movement of military vehicles. Talking over telephone from Hawai, PFPAF Chairperson Behenso Pul said: “We had earlier submitted memorandum demanding scrapping of Kalai II dam to Union Ministry of Forest and Environment, chief minister, local representatives putting our grievances. But no oneâ €™s listening to us. So we decided to launch our democratic movement.†The villagers staging protest demanded for permanent halt of property survey, and other survey and investigation being carried out for the hydro electric project. A memorandum was submitted to deputy commissioner, Hawai placing all grievances and the demands. “We are highly encouraged by the massive participation of villagers in such short notice. It’s a great moral boost for people working against dam,†said Pul. “But there was no participation from panchayat leaders, students union and other civil society organization.â € The Kalai II Hydro Electric Project is to be developed by one of the major Reliance Power subsidiary, Kalai Power Private Limited (KPPL). It was incorporated on September 26, 2007. The project site is in Lohit River in Kumblung and the submergence route extends upto 23 km upstream. The project involves construction of 161 meter high concrete dam. An underground power house will be constructed to house 8 units of 150 MW turbines. The total project cost is estimated at Rs. 69,551 million and is likely to be completed in 7 years time. “The Kalai II project will lead to submergence of entire Hawai circle and all the major villages. Around 1500 people are being directly affected by the dam,†said Pul. â €œSince last week, we carried out grassroots’ campaign on dams. We haven’t met one single person who is in favour of dam. Everyone one is scared and against it.† In Anjaw district alone, at least 6 large dams are proposed within 150 km of river route out of 13 projects in the entire Lohit basin. Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) had earlier conducted a cumulative impact assessment of various hydropower projects in the entire Lohit river basin, as per the directives of MoEF. “WAPCOS made a farce report, completing within 2-3 weeks. The study is very poor and shoddy,†said Pul. According to PFPAF, they are, however, not opposed to all dams in Anjaw district. They view that projects along the tributaries of Lohit river can be harnessed, instead of building large dams along the main river alone. Citing a report in a national news magazine, Pul said the tributaries of Lohit alone had capacity to produce 8000 MW. “Out of the 7 circles in Anjaw district, 5 are situated along the main Lohit river. Even Hawai headquarter is in the bank of Lohit river. So, if dams are built along the main river, majority of the 18000 Mishmi population will be affected,â € said Pul. In April 13 meeting with Chief Minister Nabam Tuki at Tezu, the PFPAF had suggested the government to consider harnessing power in the tributaries of Lohit river, not in the main river, where majority of population live. It is learnt that chief minster had made assurance of stopping all dams ‘wherever not required’. “If small dams are built in the tributaries, which are in the interior places, people there can benefit in the form of roads and other developments,†Pul said.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 09:33:01 +0000
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