Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today informed the state Assembly that public hearing for the 2,700 MW Lower Siang hydro-electric project in Siang district could not be conducted due to opposition from local people.
"Public hearing for the said project could not be conducted even after five attempts," Khandu informed the House while responding to a question raised by Nationalist People's Party (NPP) legislator Tapang Taloh during Question Hour.
Khandu, who also holds the hydro-power portfolio, said that the project at Pangging village will not start without taking the locals into confidence.
He said a total amount of Rs 41.32 crore was taken in three installments during 2006 and 2010 from Jaiprakash Power Ventures Limited (JPVL) the developer by the state government as upfront money.
"As on date there is no physical activity under progress at the project site even though the detailed project report (DPR) of the project has already been completed and Techno Economic Clearance (TEC) was accorded by Central Electrical Authority (CEA) on February 16, 2010," the chief minister informed.
Responding to a supplementary, Khandu said that if the company discontinue its implementation, the responsibility of the upfront premium would depend on the factors responsible for the discontinuation of the project.