Ten NHPC projects stalled for clearances

NHPC Ltd is awaiting a host of clearances for 10 major hydropower projects aggregating an installed capacity of 8,531 MW. While the projects have been approved by the Central Electricity authority, they are awaiting various clearances including environment and forest.

Out of the 10 projects, three each are located in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, two in Manipur, and one each in Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir. These include Dibang Central (3,000 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh, Tipaimukh Central (1,500 MW) in Manipur, Pakal Dul (1,000 MW) in a joint venture in J&K among others.

On completion, the hydro projects would contribute up to 32.1 billion units of electricity per annum which would help to meet the power demand in the country.

The Ministry of Power is pursuing clearances with various ministries particularly the Ministry of Environment & Forests. A task force on hydro projects is also looking into all issues relating to development of hydropower including rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected persons. Besides, a power project monitoring panel set up by the Ministry of Power is independently monitoring the progress of hydro projects.

Notes:

* CVPP is a joint venture company of NHPC, Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and PTC India Ltd.

** LDHCL is a joint venture company of NHPC and Government of Manipur.