Union minister Gurjar in Lower Subansirui project site
Union minister of state for power and heavy industries Krishan Pal Gurjar during his visit to NHPC’s Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project at Gerukamukh on Tuesday. Image credit - Northeast Now

Union minister of state for power and heavy industries Krishan Pal Gurjar visited NHPC’s Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project at Gerukamukh in Assam’s Dhemaji district to review the ongoing construction activities at different sites.

The Union minister arrived at the Gerukamukh site directly from Mohanbari Airport at Dibrugarh.

He was accorded a warm welcome in traditional Assamese culture by Bishwajit Basu, director (Projects), NHPC and Janesh Sahni, HOP-Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project.

The Union minister was accorded Guard of Honour by the CISF Unit posted at the Lower Subansiri Project, Gerukamukh.

Minister Gurjar visited various sites of the hydro-electric project and took stock of the progress of the ongoing construction activities wherein the director (projects), NHPC, briefed him about the progress in construction activities.

Representatives of major works contractors engaged in the project also briefed him about the quantum of construction activities on individual fronts.

During his visit, UNion minister Gurjar laid the foundation stone for the start of turbine assembly of Unit number 1 of the project.

The minister also inaugurated a 160 KW Rooftop Solar Power Plant installed in the New Administrative Building of the project.

The minister also visited an exhibition organised by farmer-producers companies registered for livelihood interventions initiated by NHPC in the field of piggery, sericulture and handloom in the downstream areas of the project.

The Union minister appreciated the efforts and initiative of NHPC for the people living in the downstream areas.

Representatives of district administrations of Dhemaji and Kamle in Arunachal Pradesh were also present during the visit of the minister.

The Union minister’s visit to the NHPC site in Gerukamukh was resented by All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) at Gogamukh.

The Gogamukh unit of AASU staged a demonstration in Gogamukh demanding the halt of the construction work of the dam on the river Subansiri at Gerukamukh until the safety of the lives and properties of people in the downstream areas is not ensured.

Farhana Ahmed is Northeast Now Correspondent in North Lakhimpur. She can be reached at: [email protected]