Guwahati, Oct 7: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday performed ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ for 120 MW capacity Asian Development Bank (ADB) aided Rs 2,200 crore Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project in Dima Hasao district of Assam.
Smt @nsitharaman performs bhoomi pujan of 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project at Longku, Dima Hasao in Assam. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam Shri @himantabiswa and Power Minister of Assam Shri @BimalBorah119 are also present on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/Lp5k13LbXe
— NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) October 7, 2021
Sitharaman, after laying the foundation stone for the hydro electric power plant, said the Centre and Assam government are committed to the development of Dima Hasao district, a tribal dominated district in southern Assam.
She said that 77 percent of the project cost would be borne by the Centre while the remaining 23 percent cost would be shared by the state government.
The Finance Minister said the power generation is like blood donation for the economy.
Sitharaman also laid the foundation stone for ADB aided double-lane highway in Dima Hasao district at Haflong at a cost of Rs 250 crore.
Project to reduce greenhouse gas emission
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also attended the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’, said the project will increase electricity supply from clean energy by 469 GWh by 2025 and reduce greenhouse gas emission by 360K tons annually.
He said that his government would work for the overall development of the mountainous Dima Hasao district, which shares borders with Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland.
Return of peace leading to rapid development
He said that peace has returned to this district of the state leading to the rapid development and stepped up welfare activities for the benefit of the people.
The project will help in the all round development of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts as well as generate employment opportunities, Sarma said.
The Chief Minister said that to improve road infrastructure in Dima Hasao District, Umrongso and adjoining areas, the government would spend Rs 900 crore.
Glad to share that GoA will spend Rs 900 cr for building roads in Dima Hasao. Also, Rs 250 cr will be spent for construction of Umrongso-Lanka road within 9 months.
Improved road infrastructure will greatly facilitate tourist footfall in the region & drive economic growth. pic.twitter.com/K3Uyi2JLuO
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 7, 2021
“Rs 250 crore would be spent for construction of Umrongso-Lanka road within nine months. Improved road infrastructure would greatly facilitate tourist footfall in the region and boost the economic growth,” he informed.
