The 2000 MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power Project, proposed to come up at Gerukamukh of Assam Arunachal border is the first large hydroelectric project to be constructed in the Subansiri river basin. The Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power project (LHSEP) is the part of an ambitious plan of government of Indian to generate 50,000MW. The program was initiated in May 2003. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has taken up pre-feasibility studies of 162 projects as part of this initiative, among which a total 5,600MW was planned on Subansiri River. The LHSEP is designed as a run-of-the river power project on the lower reach of Subansiri River, a tributary of River Brahmaputra. River Subansiri flows from Arunachal Pradesh into Assam where it joins the Brahmaputra. The Subansiri hydropower project has three components, namely the 2,000MW Upper Subansiri, the 1,600MW Middle Subansiri, and the 2,000MW Lower Subansiri. The Lower Subansari HEP received clearance from the government in August 2003, following which NHPC started developing the project. The Northeast of India has been identified as India’s ‘future powerhouse’ [1]. In 2001, the Central Electricity Authority CEA), India has identified 168 large hydroelectric projects with a potential of 63,328 MW in the Brahmaputra river basin [2]. This includes 22 projects having potential of 15,191 MW in the Subansiri river basin. The 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project, proposed to come up at Gerukamukh, Assam pose a real threat to the freshwater biodiversity of the downstream of Subansiri river basin by the regulation of the river through diversion, impoundment and reducing water discharge to the downstream [3]. The construction of Lower Subansiri started in 2005 and was due to be completed in 2010. However, the project has been delayed because of strong opposition over its potential environmental impact. It is alleged that the dam is located in a seismic zone but it is significantly under-designed to resist earthquakes. The fluctuation of water level in the river is also feared to affect the ecology in the lower Subansiri region in future. The project has displaced many families, but it is claimed that it will displace many more people residing downstream of the project because of ecological changes endangered by the project. The project is also alleged to affect cultivation and cattle graze in the downstream area. In December 2012, NHPC set up an independent dam design review panel to facilitate the progress of the project while taking into account the issues advanced against the dam from different quarters [4] There is also strong opposition from Assam. As Assam is located on the downstream of the project, protesters have been arguing that the state will bear the brunt of environmental impact. They are also concerned over the safety of the dam as the project is located in a seismic zone [5]. |
Name of conflict: | Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project, India |
Country: | India |
State or province: | Assam |
Location of conflict: | Gerukamukh |
Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Type of conflict. 1st level: | Water Management |
Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Dams and water distribution conflicts |
Specific commodities: | Electricity Water |
Project details | The Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power project (LHSEP) is the part of an ambitious plan of government of Indian to generate 50,000MW. The Subansiri hydropower project has three components, namely the 2,000MW Upper Subansiri, the 1,600MW Middle Subansiri, and the 2,000MW Lower Subansiri. The cost of Lower Subansiri project was originally estimated to be INR62.85bn ($1.16bn) at 2002 price level but has since been revised to INR106.6bn ($1.97bn) at 2010 price level. The project cost is expected to further go up because of the delay. The project cost is being met through 70% equity and 30% debt financing by the provision of a term loan. The central government is providing budgetary support as part of the equity component. The LHSEP consists of a concrete gravity dam, which will be 116m high from the river bed level and 130m from foundation. The length of the dam will be 284m. The gross storage capacity of the reservoir will be 1.37km3. The power house will be equipped with eight 250MW Francis turbines located on surface on the left bank of the river. It will also have eight horse shoe shaped head race tunnels (diameter 9.5m and length varying from 608m to 1,168m), eight horse shoe shaped surge tunnels (diameter 9.5m and length varying from 400m to 485m) and eight circular penstocks (diameter varying between 400m and 485m, and length between 7m and 9.5m). A tail race channel (35m long and 206m wide) will take the water discharged by the turbines back to the river [4]. |
Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 1.970,000,000 |
Type of population | Rural |
Start of the conflict: | 2003 |
Company names or state enterprises: | National Hydroelectric Power Corporation of India (NHPC) from India Central Electricity Authority (CEA) from India |
Relevant government actors: | Assam Government, Ministry of Environment & Forest , Government of India, Assam Pollution Control Board |
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Peoples Movement for Subansiri Brahmaputra Valley [PMSBV], River Basin Friends, All Assam Students Union [AASU], The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity [KMSS], The Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad [AJYCP], Takam Mising Porin Kebang [TMPK], Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group (India), International Rivers (US) |
Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
Reaction stage | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Landless peasants Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Local scientists/professionals |
Forms of mobilization: | Blockades Boycotts of official procedures/non-participation in official processes Development of a network/collective action Development of alternative proposals Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media Objections to the EIA Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches Strikes Hunger strikes and self immolation |
Environmental Impacts | Potential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity |
Socio-economical Impacts | Potential: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
Conflict outcome / response: | Compensation Institutional changes New legislation Strengthening of participation Technical solutions to improve resource supply/quality/distribution Under negotiation Violent targeting of activists New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study |
Proposal and development of alternatives: | 1. There must be a serious and long term investigation of the geological framework, hydrological features of the Brahmaputra basin 2. The question of downstream impacts along the river Brahmaputra must be recognized. Downstream impact assessments must be a pre-condition for all dam proposals. 3. There must be a cumulative impact assessments of all upstream dams in Arunachal Pradesh before clearance is given to construction of dams there. 4. The rights of the people of Assam over these water resources must be recognized by the Government of India 5. immediate tripartite discussion with the Prime Minister of India, Government of Assam and Representative of downstream people of Assam who are agitating against the construction of Lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project. 6. Till all such issues are resolved, KMSS demands a moratorium on construction work of LSHP and other hydro power projects of the Brahmaputra basin [7] |
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
Briefly explain: | Chief minister Tarun Gogoi said the Union power ministry has approved the seismic safety recommendations for NHPCs Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project and has appealed to anti-dam agitators to withdraw their protest to pave the way for construction of the dam [5]. Union Minister Jairam Ramesh suggested that work on the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Power Project is unlikely to be halted. He promised to address the concerns of the downstream States [6] |
Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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Contributor: | Swapan Kumar Patra |
Last update | 18/08/2019 |
Conflict ID: | 942 |