The largest hydro power project in India at 278 meters, the Dibang dam, has been approved by the Centre. The project was put on hold due to environmental concerns during the United Progressive Alliance regime.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a budget of Rs 1,600 crores for pre-investment activities. An estimate of Rs 28,080.35 crores is made for the clearances and construction of the Dibang multipurpose project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project is expected to generate 2880 MW power.
Prakash Javadekar, the Union Environment Minister stated that this hydro-electric multipurpose project is a major contribution of India to the world when we are all battling a grievous climate change. 2880 MW of power is to be produced from this project without burning even single coal.
The project was put on hold in 2013 by the Forest Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests after observing that 350,000 trees would need to be chopped off for the project to reach the Dibang river.
Once completed, the project is expected to generate 2880MW (12x240MW) power to produce 11223MU of energy in a 90% dependable year. Arunachal Pradesh is to get 12% or 1346.76 MU of free power from the project. The total value of this benefit to Arunachal Pradesh will be Rs 26,785 crores over the project life of 40 years.
The project has received statutory clearances, including the environment clearance, forest clearance (stage l) and defense clearance. Only forest clearance (stage II) remains, for the project to seek investment sanction from Centre. A sum of Rs 241 crore has been allocated for community and social development.