ITANAGAR/ SHIMLA: In a what is termed as a big step towards milking "India’s Power House", Arunachal Pradesh government today inked the historic memorandum of agreements with SJVN, NHPC, NEEPCO (Central Power Sector undertakings) to execute as many as 12 hydropower projects worth 11517 MW capacity that is expected to bring in a mammoth investment of Rs 1.40 lakh Crore in the state.
SJVN (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam) has inked MOA with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for the execution of five hydro power projects worth 5097 MW in the state.
Notably, the Etalin project, with a capacity of 3097 MW, is one of India's largest hydro projects and is also given to SJVN.
While the five projects went into SJVN”s kitty, seven other projects worth 6420 MW capacity went to two other CPSUs- NHPC and NEEPCO Ltd.
Signing of the Agreement got a big push hot on the heels of the passing of the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023 in both House of Parliament last week.
It has cleared the stage for speeding up of the diversion of forest areas for non-forest use and rendering the PESA and NOC of Gram Sabha as almost “infructuous”, though Arunachal Pradesh has not implemented the PESA Act.
Amidst the voices of dissent raised by some NGOs in Dibang valley of Arunachal Pradesh, SJVN has emerged as a big player in Arunachal to milking its power potential worth 50,000 MW.
Over the years, Dibang Resistance has been opposing the Etalin Project in its present form and many artists and scientists have come in its support and had faced Jail as well, fearing its "negative impact on the tribal community and ecosystem".
They fear that Idu Mishmi tribe who live in Dibang valley will lose their traditional way of life as their forests, which are their bread and butter, would be taken over or diverted for the projects.
Allaying their fears, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Prema Khandu has termed the signing of the agreement for execution of 12 power as of strategic importance that will fortify country’s energy security and empower people of the state.
It will bring in in investment Rs 1.40 Lakh Crore in Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu said.
Khandu said the state government is determined to make Arunachal energy self-reliant state and hydropower will give a “massive boost to green growth in the state”.
The MoA was signed in the presence of Union Power Minister Sh. R.K Singh and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Sh. Pema Khandu in Itanagar today.
Chairman & Managing Director of SJVN, Sh. Nand Lal Sharma, along with Sh. Ankur Garg, Commissioner (Hydro Power), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, signed the MoA in Itanagar.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sh. Chowna Mein, Union Power Secretary Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, and Union Additional Power Secretary Sh. Ajay Tewari.
The hydro power projects that SJVN got, include the 3097 MW Etalin, 680 MW Attunli, 500 MW Emini, 420 MW Amulin, and 400 MW Mihumdon.
On the other hand, NEEPCO got five power projects in the Siang basin- Tato stage- 1 (186MW), Tato-II( (700MW) Naying (1000MW), Hirong (500MW), Heo(240MW).
These projects were reassigned to SJVN and CPSUs by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh after private developers were unable to proceed with them.
Sh. Nand Lal Sharma affirmed SJVN's commitment to completing these projects within the stipulated timelines.
SJVN says that construction of these projects is expected to involve an investment of around Rs 50,000 crores and contribute over 20,652 million units of electricity annually to the nation's power capacity.
The Detailed Project Reports for Etalin & Attunli have already received clearance from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
The revalidation of these reports will begin with the MoA signing.
As for the Emini, Amulin, and Mihumdon projects, Pre-Feasibility Reports have been prepared, and survey and investigation work for Detailed Project Report preparation will commence shortly, Sharma said.
Upon completion, these projects are anticipated to drive comprehensive socio-economic development in Arunachal Pradesh.
CPUS claim that benefits extend to enhancing infrastructure, healthcare services, skill development, education, employment opportunities, and sustainable development.
CM and CPSUs say that agreements mark a pivotal step towards tapping hydro power projects and promoting green growth of the border Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh.
