Bhagadahar Residents Raise Objection Against High-Voltage Line Over Private Land, File RTI Seeking Project Details

Residents of Abdul Muttahir Lane in Bhagadahar, Cachar, have raised strong objections against the laying of a high-voltage electricity line over their lane and their private land. They have repeatedly appealed to the concerned authorities and the district administration in writing, demanding an immediate alternative route for the project. With the department allegedly turning a blind eye to their appeals, the locals have now filed an RTI (Right To Information) application with the Department of Irrigation and APDCL seeking details of the project.

Located under Berenga Part IV on the outskirts of Silchar town, the densely populated Abdul Muttahir Lane comprises over 40 households and several essential infrastructures, including a lower primary school. Locals allege that without informing them or seeking consent, the authorities have begun preparations to lay a high-voltage electricity line under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PM-KSY) Lift Irrigation Scheme, directly over their patta land.

Speaking to reporters on Monday (June 16), the residents claimed that they were kept in the dark throughout the three months since the irrigation project began. Now, they say, APDCL officials are allegedly entering private properties without notice to install poles and electric lines. “There is no transparency in the project. No NOC has been shown, no consent taken. Our patta land is being trespassed, and electric lines are being laid forcefully,” a local resident said.

In a letter addressed to the Superintendent Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Executive Engineer (Irrigation), Area General Manager of APDCL, and the District Commissioner, the residents demanded the rerouting of the line. They argued that a PWD road and an E&D embankment lie nearby and can serve as alternate routes. Letters written on May 5 and a follow-up on June 10 to both the concerned departments got them no response.

“Our lane is only 5 metres wide and sees daily footfall of nearly a thousand people. Laying a high-voltage line here is a serious safety hazard,” another resident warned.

Concerns also stem from future restrictions on construction and the potential risk of fire or electrical accidents, especially during the rainy season, with chances of wind breaking off the high-voltage cables. Residents fear they may not be allowed to build two-storey homes under the line, and any accidental damage to the line could have fatal consequences.

“When we have received no response from the Irrigation Department, the APDCL or the District Commissioner, we were bound to file an RTI Application on June 15. We have asked for 8 pieces of information through the RTI. There are no acquisitions, no consent from the stakeholders or notification. The contractor is almost forcefully entering our premises for the work”, added the locals.

The RTI application was submitted on June 15 to the PIOs of the Sub-Divisional Engineer of APDCL (Silchar Subdivision 1) and the Superintending Engineer of the Silchar Circle Irrigation Department. Among the eight queries, they have sought a copy of the proposed route map for the electric lines and details of any private land to be used, including landowner names and plot numbers.

The residents reiterated that they are not against the project itself, but the use of their privately owned land without consent is unacceptable. They appealed to the authorities to consider the alternative routes and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the families living along Abdul Muttahir Lane.