• The Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) has recently conducted a public hearing for environmental clearance of the proposed Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project, a 1,200 MW run-of-river with pondage hydropower project located on the Lohit River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra, in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The project is being developed by THDC India Limited (formerly Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited) and is one of the largest planned hydropower projects in the northeastern region.
• Designed as a concrete gravity dam with advanced hydraulic structures, the project will include upstream & downstream coffer dams, diversion and intake tunnels, pressure shafts, an underground powerhouse, a surge chamber, and a tail race tunnel.
• With a reservoir capacity of 318.8 million cubic meters and a gross head of 125 meters, the Kalai-II project will house six turbines of 190 MW each, generating a total of 1,200 MW of clean energy.
• Once operational, it is expected to play a crucial role in meeting regional power demands, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and contributing to India’s renewable energy targets.
• Officials noted that the project will not only enhance energy security but also bring employment opportunities, infrastructure development, and socio-economic growth to Arunachal Pradesh. However, concerns regarding ecological sensitivity, displacement, and biodiversity impact were raised during the public hearing, underlining the need for careful environmental management.
• The project’s progress is being closely watched, as it is considered a strategic hydropower initiative in the northeastern frontier of India, with both energy and national security dimensions.