Arunachal Pradesh is set to witness the commissioning of hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 12,500 MW in the next two years, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Solung festival celebrations in Roing, Lower Dibang Valley district, Mein said that several Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), including NHPC, NEEPCO, THDC, and SJVN, will undertake these hydropower projects.
According to an official statement released on Wednesday, five projects will be commissioned next year, while three each are planned for 2026 and 2027.
“These hydropower projects will not only meet the energy demands of the state and the nation but also spur economic development in Arunachal Pradesh,” Mein stated, emphasising that the multipurpose dams will provide several benefits, including water flow regulation, irrigation, and fisheries.
He added that the projects would also generate substantial income, with an estimated annual revenue of Rs 1,836 crore from equity shares. “The revenue accrued from these hydropower projects will secure the future of our younger generations,” Mein said.
He further highlighted the state government's commitment to developing smaller hydro projects in the border villages to benefit remote areas, defence personnel, and military setups.
Mein noted that the hydropower projects are expected to boost tourism and create employment opportunities in the state.
The Arunachal government has also been focusing on enhancing economic activities, including the development of a 218-kilometre railway line connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh through Parsuram Kund, a sacred pilgrimage site.
“The railway line will improve connectivity and foster tourism growth, which is pivotal for economic progress in the region,” he added.
Notably, on August 31, a protest rally was held in Dite Dime, Siang district, organised by anti-dam groups opposing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), a massive hydropower initiative led by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
The SUMP aims to generate 12,500 MW of electricity and is seen by the government and NHPC as a crucial step towards enhancing the region's infrastructure and boosting its economic development.
However, the project has faced significant opposition from local communities and environmental groups concerned about its potential impact on the area's ecology, displacement of people, and disruption of traditional livelihoods.
Similar protests have erupted across Arunachal Pradesh, with local communities and environmental groups voicing their opposition to such initatives by the government.
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