Congress blames centre for not releasing money for upkeep of NEEPCO's power plant in Assam

GUWAHATI: Rescuers in the power plant in Assam Dima Hasao await to launch operation as water level in yet to come down
On October 7 last public sector utility, North East Electric & Power Corporation Limited's (NEEPCO) kopili hydro power project faced a problem when water supply line developed leakage leading to the flooding of power station.

A NEEPCO spokesman on Wednesday said that the penstock (pipe) carrying water from the tunnel to the power house burst around 4.30 am on October 7 and in the process the isolating valve, meant to stop the water flow also got damaged, leading to the tragedy.

An official in the district administration said, " Water level is receding and once water level recedes we will launch reduce operation. "

Opposition congress blamed the centre for tragedy. The centre government did not release Rs 200 crore meant for maintenance of the plant in 2014.

“Major repairing of the project was due in 2014. The pipeline expired its life span in 2014. However, it could not be done as the BJP led NDA government had not released the amount approved by the UPA government,” said Senior Spokesman of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, Durga Das Boro.