Works starts NHPC Limited's 2000 MW Lower Subansiri hydro power project along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh

GUWAHATI: Almost after eight years works has started in the NHPC Limited's 2000 MW Lower Subansiri hydro power project along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh.

Lower Subansari project had snowballed into political issue during the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

Work at the project site came to halt since 2011 following protest of anti-dam groups.

A senior official associated with the project who do not want to be named told ET, “Ceremonial work started on Tuesday. First we have to take up massive repairing works at the site. Contractors for the project are yet to arrive. We are expecting to complete the project in next four years.”

Around 60 percent of the work of the power project is almost completed. Construction at the project site started in 2005 and the project was slated to start operating 2014.

The initial cost of the project was Rs 6,285.33 crore however later it increased three times. NHPC has invested close to Rs 8000 Crore. The revised cost estimate of the project is Rs 17,000 Crore.

The project as envisaged by Brahmaputra flood control commission as back as 1955 was a multi-purpose project primarily for flood control and irrigation. Later on the Brahmaputra board handed over the project to NHPC in May 2000.