Technology for dams should not kill rivers: Uma Bharati

SHILLONG: Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati today said that her ministry is not opposing construction of dams on rivers in the north east except that the technology should be safe and should not "kill" the river.

"We are not opposing any dam. I have told Central Water Commission, which comes under my ministry, to effectively design a dam which will also maintain the ecological flow of the river," Bharti said on the sidelines of a high powered review board of the Brahmaputra Board here.

"The technology has to be very safe... we cannot kill a river," she said.

Asked about the Subansiri dam in Arunachal Pradesh, she said "I think this has to be dealt with the sentiments of the people in mind.

"It's not only the economic or technical sides. Sentimental sides are also in it and power ministry is taking its view," she said.

Anti-dam groups have almost stopped construction of the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh for the last three years fearing environmental impact and displacement of people.