Opposition Builds Over Third Mega Dam Project In Arunachal Pradesh, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Communities in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are protesting against the 2,880-megawatt Dibang Multipurpose Project on the Dibang river in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley.
• Developed by NHPC Limited at an estimated cost of ₹31,875 crore, the project is slated for commissioning by February 2032.
• The Dibang Dam Assam-Arunachal Downstream Action Alliance has issued a 10-day ultimatum to both state governments to address demands including Project Affected Family status, public hearings in Assam, and flood protection measures.
• The dam, at 278 meters, is set to become India's tallest.
• Opposition also persists against two other mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh: the 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and the 1,605-MW Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project.
• Separately, residents in Mepsoro, Papum Pare district, are opposing a proposed Indian Army field ammunition depot.

Detailed Insights:

• The Dibang Multipurpose Project is designed for both hydroelectric power generation and flood control in the Brahmaputra basin, also serving as an energy storage project.
• The Dibang River, a significant tributary of the Brahmaputra, originates in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh and is vital for the region's ecology and hydrology.
• Large hydropower projects in the Northeast often face criticism due to concerns over environmental degradation, displacement of communities, loss of livelihoods, and impacts on river ecosystems.
• The Himalayan region, being seismically active, raises additional safety concerns regarding the construction and operation of mega dams.
• Downstream communities frequently experience exacerbated flood risks, reduced water availability during dry seasons, and overall hydrological instability due to dam operations.
• The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act) governs land acquisition and mandates comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement plans with public consultation.
• The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project faces significant local resistance due to fears of extensive village submergence and mass displacement.
• Such hydropower developments in Arunachal Pradesh are often framed by the government as crucial for national energy security and as a strategic response to China's upstream dam projects on the Brahmaputra.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Dibang Multipurpose Project: A 2,880 MW flood control-cum-hydroelectric project on the Dibang River in Arunachal Pradesh, developed by NHPC Limited.
• Project Affected Family (PAF): A family whose land, livelihood, or residence is directly impacted by a development project, making them eligible for rehabilitation benefits.
• Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act): An Indian law that regulates land acquisition, ensuring fair compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement for affected individuals and communities.