New Delhi, April 8: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two significant hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh. These initiatives will see an investment exceeding ₹40,000 crore, aiming to transform electricity production, infrastructure, and employment in the state.
The first project, the Kaly-II Hydro Electric Project, will be developed on the Lohit River in Anjaw district. This project is expected to cost ₹14,105.83 crore and will take approximately 78 months to complete. With a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, it is anticipated to generate around 4,852.95 million units of electricity annually. This will be the first hydro project in the Lohit Basin, enhancing electricity supply in the state and contributing significantly to the national grid’s stability.
The project will be implemented through a joint venture between THDC India Limited and the Arunachal Pradesh government. The central government will provide ₹599.88 crore for infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and transmission lines, along with ₹750 crore in central financial assistance for the state’s equity stake. The project will also allocate 12% of the generated electricity for free to the state, with 1% earmarked for the Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
Additionally, the Cabinet has approved the Kamla Hydro Electric Project, which has a capacity of 1,720 megawatts and will require an investment of ₹26,069.50 crore. This project will be developed across the Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Kurung Kumey districts and is expected to take about 96 months to complete, generating approximately 6,870 million units of electricity annually.
The Kamla project will also be executed through a joint venture between NHPC Limited and the Arunachal Pradesh government. The central government will provide ₹4,743.98 crore for flood control and ₹1,340 crore for infrastructure development. Similar to the Kaly-II project, it will allocate 12% of the electricity for free to the state and 1% for the LADF.
Both projects are set to rapidly enhance infrastructure in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh. The Kaly-II project will involve the construction of around 29 kilometers of roads and bridges, while the Kamla project will develop approximately 196 kilometers of roads and bridges. Essential facilities such as hospitals, schools, and markets will also be built, directly benefiting local communities.
The government believes these projects will not only increase electricity production but also create new job opportunities and accelerate the region’s socio-economic development. Furthermore, these initiatives represent a significant step towards making Northeast India self-reliant in energy.
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