Decommission Rangadi, Ethai Barrage: NEDF

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 25: The North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) called for decommissioning of the Rangadi Dam and Ethai Barrage of Loktak project on the sidelines of releasing water by the dams, leading to inundation in the downstream areas.

 “On June 23 around 3.30 pm water was released from the dam by NEEPCO without prior information and referring early warning system. Eleven persons lost lives, besides many went missing. In the downstream areas more than 200 houses reeled under water along with livestock. We have received the information that there were no EIA, DPR, environmental, social, human right impact assessment, most importantly cumulative impact assessment before construction and commissioning  Rangadi dam in 2002.  There was no forest and environment clearance from the Government of India and Aruchal Pradesh for this project. Construction of Rangadi is illegal. There was no independent study at the upstream and downstream of the Rangadi project.  More than 20,000 hectare paddy field was destroyed by the water.  For the last 13 years people in the downstream areas have been facing such flood every year or in the alterte years. The flood also destroyed tiol Highway in the Lakhimpur district. NEEPCO/NHPC has violated safety norms while constructing such dams,” NEDF Member Keshav Krish Chatradhara said.

“This year people in the valley in Manipur face grave situation due unusual flood four times. Many villages in the Imphal valley had to relocate their habitation more than 4 times. Women, children, disabled and others faced a horrendous situation. The NHPC with an intent failed to open the gate of the Ethai barrage where half of the valley where under water. The magement and staff of NHPC/ NEEPCO are more concern about their profit from which they got their salary at the cost of people’s lives and suffering,” NEDF Convener U Nobokishore said.