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Between January 2008 and today nothing much has happened at Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, the site for 3,000 MW Dibang multi purpose project, except laying of foundation stone for the project. Indeed on 31st January 2008, Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh’s foundation stone laying ceremony had raised hopes for some people and also eyebrows of many environment lovers who opposed this project tooth and nail. Since then plenty of water has flown in the valley and Public Hearing dates have been postponed 13 times, but the project has not moved a bit further.
The project involved setting up of a 3,000 MW (12x250 MW) hydro electric power unit across Dibang River in Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh along with a flood moderation scheme. The project, considered to be the largest hydro electric power project in the country, envisaged construction of 288 metres high concrete gravity dam, which will be the highest dam in India with 6 head race tunnels. The project is estimated to cost Rs 16,886 crore.
All Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society and All Idu Mishmi Students’ Union have been opposing the project saying that project destroys the ecological balance and are demanding its abandonment. Strangely the state government too is not making any attempt to soothe the ruffled feathers and prefers to be a quiet spectator of the events. In fact, part of trouble can be attributed to the inaction and unresponsiveness of the state government. Though NHPC is still hopeful about the project and Ministry of Power is pursuing the matter with the state government, situation is unlikely to change in the near future.
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