Govt steers clears 4,800 MW hydro plant in Arunachal

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is all set to launch work on two of the country’s largest hydroelectric projects, planned by the NHPC at Lower Subansiri and Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh with a combined capacity of 4,800 MW, with green tribunal quashing appeals stalling the same. This is a very positive development in the hydroelectric sector where no new project has taken off in the last four years. The case was filed in NGT by Assam Public Works and Tularam Gogoi demanding fresh formation of an expert committee with better local representation and limited government intervention. In the matter of the 2,800-MW Dibang multipurpose project, the NGT had in its judgment on November 13, dismissed the appeal filed by appellant Pradip Kumar Bhuyan against the government for granting environment clearance to the project. The tribunal upheld the environmental clearance accorded to the project in the lower Dibang valley district. The court said adequate studies had been undertaken to ensure sustainable implementation of the project. The court, however, has asked the implementing agency to meet all conditions laid down in the environment clearance scrupulously. The government sources said NHPC will shortly call bids to award turnkey contracts to build a 70-meter high concrete dam on the Dibang River.