Dibang Multipurpose Project

Dibang Project is a planned hydroelectric project with 3000 MW electricity generation capacity. Called as Dibang Multipurpose Project, it is a NHPC project and the project site is located in the Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The project will have a 288 metre high gravity dam across river Dibang. Once completed, it will be the largest capacity hydro-electric power project in India. It will feature India’s largest dam and largest reservoir of North East India.

The foundation stone of Dibang Multipurpose Project was laid without Environment Impact Assessment on 31st January 2008, by then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Later in 2013, it was presented before Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. After several rejections, FAC finally approved it in September, 2014.

Benefits and Side effects of Dibang Project:

Hydroelectric power is usually considered safer than power sources. It is a comparatively clean and renewable energy. But hydroelectric power project require a dam and a reservoir. For large scale projects like Dibang Project, a higher dam is required. And higher dam means larger reservoir. High dams posses many risks including breaching, overflowing and collapsing due to pressure of water or earthquake. Reservoir of a large dam submerges a large area and makes it unproductive. Due to submergence of plants, emission of greenhouse gases increase. There are many pros and cons of hydroelectric power projects. Following are some pros and cons of Dibang Hydroelectric project.

Benefits of the Dibang Project:

• The project will generate power to meet the demand of populous nation.
• It will generate income for Arunachal Pradesh.
• It will create job opportunities.
• It will create a large pond for fishing or fish farming and recreational activities.
• Improved connectivity and development activities in the area.
• Reduction of flood in downstream (without guarantee).

Side effects of the Dibang Project:

• The project will displace thousands of people belonging to Idu-mishmi tribe.
• The project will destroy thousands of hectares of Green Forest.
• Many rare and endangered species of flora will be lost. Migration of certain fish species such as Mahseers and Schizothorax will be hindered.
• Reduced fertility in downstream areas. Because dams block sediments that makes the downstream areas fertile.
• The quarrying and construction operations would increase air, water and sound pollution in a rather clean and undisturbed forest area.
• It will also affect several districts in Assam. The water released from the Dibang dam will flood Dibru Saikhowa National Park and many areas in upper Assam districts.

Dibang Multipurpose Project Fact Sheet:

• Project Name: Dibang Multipurpose Project
• River: Dibang
• State: Arunachal Pradesh
• District: Lower Dibang Valley & Dibang Valley
• Dam Site: 1.5 km upstream from the confluence of rivers Ashu Pani and Dibang.
• Latitude: 28°11’ 50” N – 29°25’ 59” N
• Longitude: 95°14’ 47” E – 96°36’ 49” E
• Dam type: Concrete Gravity Dam
• Dam Height (above foundation): 288 meters
• Dam Length (at dam top): 816.3 meters
• Catchment area: 11276 Square kilometers
• Length of Reservoir: 43 Kilometers
• Power House Type: Underground
• Nos of Power Unit: 12 Nos of 250 MW
• Total installed capacity: 3000 MW
• Project cost: Around Rs. 16000 Crores.

Conclusion:

Dams are not always bad. They are built all over the world to server different purposes such as flood control, water storage and generation of electricity. The sole purpose of Dibang Power Project is to generate electricity. No doubt, power is an essential commodity for growth and development of a country. But there are many side effects of mega projects like this one. The project will affect several districts in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. It will submerge thousands of hectares of dense forest and destroy natural habitat of several endangered species of flora and fauna. Instead of controlling flood, it will contribute to flooding of downstream areas during peak generation period. It will pose great danger to Dibru Saikhowa National Park and many areas in Upper Assam. The project site is located in a seismically dynamic and active region. The Great Assam Earthquake of 1950 had caused extensive damage in this area. Construction of large dam in such an earthquake prone zone is big blunder.