Power Minister tells MLA to verify facts
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 27
An MLA in Assam has blamed the floods in Upper Assam on a non-existent dam in Nagaland. Raijor Dal MLA, AKhil Gogoi, representing the Sibsagar Assembly Constituency, made the claim at a press briefing in Guwahati, on July 23, on the sidelines of the Assam Assembly Budget session.
Gogoi alleged Sivasagar’s seasonal monsoon flooding was triggered by a sudden release of water from the “Dikhu Hydro Power Project,” describing it as a 287 megawatt dam. “The third phase of that dam was completed, and the water stored there was released all at once,” the firebrand activist-politician claimed. Referring to what he claimed to be official documents, Gogoi said, “a massive dam is being built on the Dikhu River.”
On the contrary, the proposed Dikhu Hydroelectric Project has remained in the planning stage for decades owing to land acquisition hurdles. Originally planned as a 120 megawatt plant and subsequently revised to 186 megawatts, the ambitious energy venture sits gathering dust on paper while developers change hands.
The project is listed in the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) “Hydro Electric Schemes concurred/appraised… and yet to be taken up for construction.”
Nagaland Power Minister KG Kenye dismissed Gogoi's allegations terming them “completely unfounded” and “baseless.” “As responsible elected legislators of the people, I would advise anybody going to the press to ascertain the factual position first,” Kenye told The Morung Express on the sideline of a programme in Chümoukedima on July 27. He reiterated that the venture is static and has not progressed past the planning stage.
He explained that land acquisition issues with two villages have stalled the project. “They are not giving us the NOC (No Objection Certificate) to even come and survey,” the Minister added.
