NHPC speeds up 2,000 MW Subansiri hydroelectric project

The construction work of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric project has been accelerated despite the adverse situation caused by the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Power has already targeted to commission the mega hydroelectric project before 2023. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which is also the contractor of the project, has fast-tracked the construction works after receiving the green signal from the Union Government. In the meantime, 50 per cent construction of the powerhouse of the project has been completed while the progress of the construction of the main dam and the intake tunnel is in full swing.

The 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP) is located on Subansiri River at Gerukamukh in the border area of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The project's construction work started in 2005 and had to be completed in 2010. It was delayed due to stiff opposition over its potential environmental impact. As a result, the target commissioning date was pushed to 2023. However, the construction works resumed from October 2019 and it is now expected to go on stream before 2023. The project is being developed as part of India's 50,000 MW hydropower program initiated in May 2003. NHPC signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Assam Government in August 2019 and subsequently received approval for the project.