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Concern over contamination of Kopili river

The Kopili Hydro Electric Project (KHEP) of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd, at Umrangso in Dima Hasao may face dire consequence due to turning of river and reservoir water acidic resulting to damages of under water instruments of the project, alleged conscious people of Dima Hasao.

It is learnt that the water of reservoir and Kopili River adjacent to the Meghalaya state is becoming acidic for mixing of effluents from open-cast mining in Meghalaya since 2004 following which fishes and water insects disappeared from these water bodies and PH value of water has come down from 5.5 to 3.2 and which is not at all recommended for human consumption even. At the down Stream of Kopili River up to Kheroni, no living organism is found due to contamination river water. More over, the fate of upcoming Lower Kopili Hydro Electric project will face uncertainty if proper steps are not taken in time. The NEEPCo at Umrangso, the only industry of the district of Dima Hasao, is also prime victim of increase of acid contain in water, because presence of sulphuric acid in water definitely damages the under water instruments of the industry.

Sri Pradyut Bordoloi, Power & Industries Minister, Assam on being asked said ‘Yes, it’s a serious problem; effluents coming out from opencast coal mining on the upstream of Meghalaya are polluting the water of Kopili River and the reservoir. We the government of Assam and Meghalaya jointly have to take step to solve the problem. I will take up the matter with the Chief Minister, Meghalaya soon’.

The poor people of Umrangso are unaware of the dire consequences of such situation. They appealed to the concerned authority to take immediate necessary steps so that KHEP is survived and the lives of people could be saved.

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Anup Biswas's picture

Anup Biswas - Journalist from Haflong.

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