Guwahati: The 186 MW Dikhu Hydro Electric Project (DHEP) in Nagaland has hit a roadblock due to objections from some villages despite assurances from the government and scientific evidence, Nagaland Post reported.
The project, crucial for addressing the state’s power crisis, is among 17 hydro projects approved by the Indian government to generate over 5,144 MW by 2030.
While the Central Electricity Authority has granted concurrence to DHEP and extended it till March 2025, further extensions are unlikely if the project fails to progress.
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The sticking point is the “unwillingness” of some villages who fear their lands will be submerged, despite official reassurances that only a small portion will be affected.
The Department of Power is trying to negotiate with the objecting villages and is hopeful of an amicable solution by March 2024.
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Officials have emphasized the project’s benefits, including employment generation, infrastructure development, and improved living standards. They have also assured that the project will use clean, renewable energy and allocate 1% of its revenue to the affected villages annually.