Question : JOINT VENTURE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS

(a) whether the Union Government is aware of the large scale resentment across all sections of people of lower Assam regarding the Government`s initiative of joint venture for construction of dams for hydro electric projects in the upstream at Bhutan;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether impact assessment on environment and downstream effect was made in regard to each of the hydro projects in Bhutan; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the measures being taken by the Union Government to ensure safety of life and property of the people, who are living on downstream in Assam?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY
( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : No, Madam. No such worry has been raised at any point of time.

(c) & (d) : Environment Impact Assessment Studies for Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in Bhutan have been carried out by the respective CPSUs, as per the procedure of Government of Bhutan. Out of the four projects, three HEPs namely, Chamkharchhu-I, Wangchhu and Kholongchhu are Run-of-River (RoR) projects and do not have any adverse environment or downstream effect. Further, Wangchhu HEP and Bunakha HEP are located on Wangchhu river basin (known as Raidak in India) which flows in West Bengal in India. The remaining two HEPs i.e. Kholongchhu HEP and Chamkharchhu-I HEP are located on Manas river basin which flows in Assam in India. However, the HEPs in Bhutan are located far away from Border area and therefore, these HEPs do not have any adverse impact on the life of people, living in downstream of Assam.