CM Pema Khandu regrets poor utilization of hydropower potential

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday regretted that the State despite having calculated 50,000 mega watt hydropower generating capacity could so far able to generate only about two per cent of its potential.

Terming hydropower as the future of his State, Khandu while addressing a seminar on “Prosperity of Arunachal Pradesh through accelerated Hydropower development” here, said that despite being the richest State in the country in terms of hydropower resources that could overhaul its economy, the State still has to depend upon the Center for its sustenance.

“Time has come to shed the dependency syndrome and we should find ways to generate State’s own resources from the abundant hydropower resources,” Khandu said adding, “For the last 10-15 years we have been told that Arunachal Pradesh is the powerhouse of India. Where is this powerhouse?” he questioned.

Stating that the people have given the government full mandate to steer the State on the path of accelerated development, Khandu said next five-year period should be the turning point for Arunachal Pradesh and its people.

He appealed to the hydropower development department to prioritize 10 power projects that could be taken up during the next five year period.

“There is no point taking up projects at random. Let us focus on 10 feasible and beneficial projects and we will take these up on mission mode,” he asserted.

Khandu, however, advocated that mini and micro hydel projects should also be implemented side by side at places that do not have grid connectivity.

Reiterating that the State has the potential to substantially enhance its revenue generation provided there’s a strong political will, the Chief Minister informed that the state revenue which stood at about Rs 900 crore when he took over as Chief Minister in 2016, has increased to about Rs 2,000 crore in 2018-19.

“As has been projected, think how much will be our revenue when we start earning Rs 15,000 crore per year only from hydropower projects if implemented?” he wondered.

The Chief Minister blamed “petty politics” played by some vested interests in putting hurdles or stalling power projects in the State.

“As the government is stable with absolute majority, detractors have nothing to do but play ‘petty politics’ and hamper developmental projects just to harass the ruling government. In my opinion those who put hurdles in developmental projects just for the heck of it are anti-nationals. I call upon all, even those in the Opposition, to shed our politics and join hands with the government to bring in investments and successfully complete all developmental projects including hydropower,” he appealed.

Khandu warned government officials – from the top to the lowest level – to refrain from conniving with vested interests and indulging in acts hampering projects.

“I have directed the Chief Secretary to take to task any official found to be misleading the people and hampering implementation of projects,” he revealed.

Pointing out that China’s opposition had deprived Arunachal Pradesh from getting fund from lenders like World Bank, Asian Development Bank and JICA, Khandu said that despite such challenges, the state cannot sit idle but should work out modalities to look for revenue earning sector like hydropower.

Referring to the 2880 mw Dibang multi-purpose project in the state, the chief minister informed that during his recent visit to the area, he convinced the project affected people who agreed to withdraw the case filed in the court, to pave way for early execution of the project.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who also holds the hydropower portfolio, said that the state has been ‘crying’ for lack of resources when the ‘resources’ are right at the doorstep.

Urging all not to look further, he called for united efforts to harness the hydropower potential which is abundant in the state.

Also Watch: Effigy of Mominul Awal and Dr. Numal Momin burnt at Kalapani, Mankachar.