PAF body issues seven-day ultimatum to NHPC, threatens indefinite bandh at Subansiri Lower Project

The Subansiri Lower Project Implementation Committee (SULPIC), representing Project Affected Families (PAFs) of the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to NHPC and announced an indefinite bandh at the project site from June 9 if its demands are not addressed.

In a memorandum submitted to the Executive Director of the NHPC's Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project at Dollungmukh in Arunachal Pradesh's Kamle district, SULPIC alleged that repeated representations and engagements with authorities since 2009 had failed to resolve the grievances of affected families.

The organisation said the proposed bandh would commence at 5 am on June 9 and continue indefinitely until its demands are met. It claimed that administrative remedies had been exhausted and accused authorities of failing to comply with statutory obligations, environmental safeguards and judicial directions.

Among its key demands, SULPIC sought immediate recognition of the Bini, Kina and Nido clans as Project Affected Families and the declaration of Persin Block as a Project Affected Area under the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project. It also demanded the functioning of the Executive Director's office at Kolaptukar in accordance with agreements signed between the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Nyishi Elite Society in 2010.

The committee further called for revocation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for commissioning the project, alleging non-compliance with directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and findings of a spot verification report prepared by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Dollungmukh.

SULPIC also demanded immediate clearance of forests and standing trees within the designated submergence zone, a fresh assessment of the dam's projected backflow impact, proper disposal of muck from dumping sites and a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey of the submergence area.

In a separate representation, the committee alleged that the original land acquisition process covering around 1,562.8 hectares was conducted largely on the basis of aerial surveys without a comprehensive ground-level assessment, resulting in an underestimation of land holdings and inadequate compensation to affected families.

The committee claimed that a joint field inspection conducted in April this year found that substantial areas had already been affected by backflow and submergence even at the current dam height. It argued that any increase in the reservoir level could expand the impact zone and affect additional land and families.

Raising environmental concerns, SULPIC alleged that large stretches of vegetation and standing trees remain within the designated submergence zone, despite environmental conditions requiring their clearance. The organisation warned that decomposing biomass in submerged areas could adversely affect water quality, aquatic biodiversity and local communities dependent on the river.

The committee demanded a transparent physical re-survey of the entire submergence area, revised compensation for newly affected landowners and immediate implementation of environmental safeguards.

It warned that if its concerns remain unaddressed, affected families would pursue legal remedies and democratic protests at the project site. NHPC had not issued any response to the allegations and demands at the time of filing this report.