NEEPCO urged to take steps to win confidence of locals
Itanagar, Dec 17: An Environmental Public Hearing for the proposed Naying Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW), being executed by M/s NEEPCO Limited, was conducted smoothly on Wednesday at Yapik village under Tato circle in Shi Yomi district.
The hearing was organised to seek the views and concerns of Project Affected Families (PAFs) and local residents likely to be impacted by the construction of the hydroelectric project. Representatives from the Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB), district administration, NEEPCO, and the local public attended the programme.
Jumli Kato, Scientist-cum-Representative of the APSPCB, welcomed the participants and elaborated on the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification dated September 14, 2006, and its subsequent amendments issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He explained that the objective of the Environmental Public Hearing was to solicit and record opinions, views, comments and objections of people residing in and around the project area.
During the open house discussion, the Project Affected Families and members of the public expressed their views and raised various concerns related to the project. Responding to the issues raised, NJ Goswami, Executive Director of NEEPCO Limited, provided clarifications and assured that the concerns of the local people would be addressed as per norms.
Shi Yomi Deputy Commissioner Tumgge Loya, who chaired the public hearing, also addressed the gathering and clarified matters raised during the discussion. He advised NEEPCO to take steps to win the confidence of the local people, describing the project as a national asset.
The public hearing concluded smoothly with the enthusiastic participation of 97 Project Affected Families and members of the public from 10 villages of Shi Yomi district.