Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein announced that hydropower projects with a total installed capacity of 12,500 MW will become operational in the next two years. These projects, undertaken by central public sector units (CPSUs) like NHPC, NEEPCO, THDC, and SJVN, will significantly boost the state’s economy, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Solung festival in Roing, Lower Dibang Valley district on Tuesday, Mein said five projects would start next year, with three each slated for 2026 and 2027.
“These hydropower projects will not only meet the state’s power requirements but will also contribute to the nation’s energy needs, fostering rapid economic development in Arunachal Pradesh,” the deputy CM stated. He emphasized that large dams would offer multiple benefits, as they are multipurpose projects, regulating water flow downstream and supporting irrigation and fisheries.
In addition to generating power, the projects are expected to boost tourism and create employment opportunities in the state. Arunachal Pradesh stands to earn Rs 1,836 crore annually from equity shares in these projects, benefiting future generations, Mein noted.
The government is also focused on developing small hydro projects in the state’s remote border villages. These smaller projects will provide power to isolated communities and benefit defense personnel stationed in those areas, he added.
Mein further highlighted the government’s initiatives to stimulate economic growth, including the construction of a 218-kilometre railway line connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which will pass through the sacred pilgrimage site of Parsuram Kund.