VK Singh for Subansiri work resumption

GUWAHATI: Union DoNER minister Gen (retd) VK Singh has espoused resumption of construction of the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric (LSH) project at Gerukamukh in Arunachal Pradesh, saying that he is ready to talk with the agitating groups for resolving the impasse.
"People should shed inhibitions on the project (LSH). I am ready to talk with the agitating groups.The project (LSH) is going to benefit both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh," said Gen (retd) Singh on the sidelines of National Cold Chain Summit organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the ministry of food processing industry here on Saturday.
Speaking at the summit, the DoNER minister said the northeast has quintessentially been an organic farming region. He suggested that by making investment in cold storage facilities, the region can become a major exporter of organic farm produces.
But at the same time, Gen (retd) Singh pointed out that there has to be availability of power to create an investment-friendly climate for cold storage facilities in the region.
"There are protests against the LSH project. Some of apprehensions are justified and some are not. If things are done properly, the hydropower projects can be advantageous for the development of the northeast," Gen (retd) Singh said.
He added that the northeast has the highest hydropower potential in the country and the region can reap the benefit of this by selling hydropower to the rest of India and neighbouring countries. "We should create inter-dependence by tapping the northeast's hydropower exporting to other parts of India and neighbouring country," the Union minister said.
However, the Union DoNER minister's remark on hydropower projects in the northeast came at a time when the Subansiri dam is once again in the centre of controversy after the Centre earlier this month gave nod to resumption of construction of the 2000-MW project. Though the central government, later, took back its earlier decision and agreed to hold talks with various stakeholders before starting construction, the anti-dam groups in Assam were already up in arms against the BJP government.
Construction of this project has been stopped since 2011 following opposition by anti-dam groups in Assam, which is the downstream of the project. Even the Assam BJP, which has been maintaining its opposition against the LSH project, also became the target of criticism by anti-dam groups.