Glimpse of Subansiri's fury creates panic

Flexituff's demo geo-tube dyke near NHPC project wrecked

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, April 2: Rising waters of the Subansiri has submerged a demo dyke built for erosion control in the downstream of the Lower Subansiri hydroelectric project.

The geo-tube dyke, as part of a demo project, was being constructed by a firm called Flexituff – an empaneled firm under the State Water Resources department.

It was being constructed in two phases. The first phase of the structure was built in a stretch of 32 metres at No 1 Rupohi village at Chauldhowa, south of Subansiri.

Locals said at around 5 am today, the rising waters of Subansiri broke through the structure and inundated several villages in the vicinity, creating panic. The incident has reignited apprehensions of the people regarding the downstream impact of the Subansiri project

“The company had claimed that the structure will not give in. But it has been wrecked within weeks of being constructed,” said a local villager.

However, officials of the company said the structure is in place and that water has flowed over it.

The private company had volunteered to erect the demo project. Neither the State government nor the NHPC has made any payment to the firm for the demo work.

Meanwhile, NHPC officials said proposals for the downstream impact magement works have been prepared and submitted to the government.

“Only after it is cleared by the government, will the NHPC undertake the works,” an NHPC spokesman said.