National Hydro Electric Power Corporation has expressed serious concern at the delay in the construction of lower Subansiri Dam project in Arunachal Pradesh due to agitations and said fears about it were influenced by outsiders.

Mr Om Prakash GM of NHPC told reporters that "Construction work has come to a halt which could ultimately push the project cost from the initial INR 6,000 crore to as much as INR 15,000 crore which will be a great loss to the exchequer.”

Allaying fears that the dam will have adverse effect, he said all safety measures have been taken and there was absolutely no fear of flood and earthquake.

Dismissing fears raised by an expert committee on the dam project that norms were not followed, Mr Prakash said before the start of work top experts of the country were consulted and the project was taken up after it.

Mr Prakash said that various student groups and local organisations are confused about the technicalities of the construction and are influenced by outsiders. He added that "We are ready to talk to any one and allay their apprehension. The people should understand that NHPC is a competent authority to build dams as it has done similar and successful work throughout the country.”

(Sourced from ET)