IDAPF opposes multiple dams

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, March 22: Raising their voices against the effects of multiple dam construction along the Kameng and Pachi rivers, the Immediate Downstream Affected people’s Forum (IDAPF) of Pachi is set to oppose the proposed public hearing on CESC Phanchung hydro-electric project scheduled for April 9 at Pachi. In this regard, a general public consultation meet was conducted here today, where representatives from Tabri, Fachang, Dada, Lochung, Lozi, Mangkhya and Attangrang villages along with panchayat leaders, student bodies and officials participated in the discussion. The meet focused at underlining the consequences of multiple hydro projects in the area with barely a kilometers distance. The forum informed that despite the 226 MW GMR project over Kameng river which is still in land acquisition stage, another project CESC is being processed in Pachi River, which is just a km away.

Criticizing the dual construction of dams within the distance of one kilometer, the locals with much deliberation have welcomed the GMR hydro electric in Kameng river and opposed the Kolkata based CESC hydro electric in river Pachi. Multiple hydro projects in the area will pose a serious threat to the inhabitants of the area, the forum said in a release.

The forum further stated that it is not against any developmental projects in the area, but development should not be at the cost of destroying people’s settlements there.