New Delhi, July 18: Ought to be the largest ever hydro-electric projects to be constructed in India, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave a welcoming nod for the expenditure on pre-investment activities and various clearances for Dibang Multipurpose Project (MPP) in Arunachal Pradesh.
Generating almost 2,880 MW power, the multipurpose project has been approved for an amount of Rs 1,600 crore. The dam is sought to be 278 metres high and will be one of the largest in India after its completion. The project is however located on river Dibang in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Dibang Multipurpose Project (Dibang MPP) is envisaged as storage based hydroelectric project with flood moderation as the key objective. After implementation of the master plan of the Brahmaputra Board for flood moderation of all rivers contributing to river Brahmaputra, of which Dibang MPP is one component, a sizable area will be protected from flooding and help in mitigating the perennial damage due to floods in Assam.
According to the statement cited by Cabinet it said, “On completion, the government of Arunachal Pradesh will get 12% free power from the project, 1,346.76 MU. About 1% free power, 112 MU, will be given in the Local Area Development Fund (LADF). The total value of benefit to Arunachal Pradesh from free power and contribution to LADF will be ₹26,785 crore over the project life of 40 years.”
The foundation stone for the project was laid by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in January 2008. However, the public hearing required by law before an environmental impact assessment report is prepared, could not be held because of protests by local residents.