ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday informed the state assembly that public hearing for the 2,700 MW Lower Siang hydroelectric project (HEP) in Siang district could not be conducted due to opposition from local people.
“Public hearing for the said project could not be conducted even after five attempts,” Khandu informed the house while responding to a question raised by Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) legislator Tapang Taloh during Question Hour.
Khandu, who also holds the hydropower portfolio, said the project at Pangging village would not start without taking the locals into confidence.
He said a total amount of Rs 41.32 crore was taken in three installments during 2006 and 2010 from Jaiprakash Power Ventures Limited (JPVL), the developer, by the state government as upfront money.
“As on date there is no physical activity under progress at the project site even though the detailed project report (DPR) of the project has already been completed and techno-economic clearance (TEC) was accorded by the Central Electrical Authority (CEA) on 16 February, 2010,” the chief minister informed.
Responding to a supplementary, Khandu said if the company discontinued its implementation, the responsibility of the upfront premium would depend on the factors responsible for the discontinuation of the project. (PTI)
