The Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) recently conducted a public hearing for environmental clearance for the proposed 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project, located on the Lohit River in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh and developed by THDC India Limited.

• The project estimate is about ₹14,000 crore, aiming to generate free power worth ₹318 crore annually and contribute ₹2.2 crore per year to the Local Area Development Fund upon commissioning.
• The public hearing, chaired by the Anjaw deputy commissioner, attracted over 350 affected persons from 33 villages. Discussions focused on compensation, employment guarantees, and land rates, with assurances that 50% of jobs would be reserved for land-affected families and that stakeholders’ issues would be addressed in accordance with policy.
• The project is expected to create approximately 1,700 direct jobs and improve local infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and education.
• Some villagers have raised concerns about transparency in conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA), and previously there have been protests regarding compensation and the large area of submergence that will directly affect up to 1,500 people from major villages, especially in the Hawai Circle.
• Officials highlighted that the initiative could bring long-term development benefits, citing similar hydropower projects like Uttarakhand’s Tehri Dam as examples. APSPCB officials explained the clearance process, and plans include exposure visits for affected village representatives to witness such infrastructure projects.

Project Profile

Capacity: 1,200 MW, with six turbines each of 190 MW.
Type: Run-of-river with pondage, using a concrete gravity dam.
Developer: THDC India Limited (formerly Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited).
Estimated Cost: ₹14,000 crore.
Reservoir Capacity: 318.8 million cubic meters; gross head of 125 m.
Job Creation: ~1,700 direct jobs, 50% reserved for land-affected families.
Major Concerns: Communal transparency, land compensation, and disruption for affected villages.

The region remains divided, with most participants welcoming the project's development potential, but a section of villagers continues to express concerns over land rates, compensation, and employment guarantees. The environmental clearance process and final project approval will depend on the resolution of these issues and government compliance with regulatory norms.

Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project,FAQs

1. Which of the following statements about the Kalai-II hydroelectric project’s employment provisions is MOST accurate? 
A) All jobs created will be offered exclusively to residents of Anjaw district. 
B) Approximately 1,700 direct jobs will be created, with at least 50% reserved for families affected by land acquisition. 
C) Employment guarantees were not discussed during the public hearing. 
D) Only temporary construction jobs will be created, with no specific reservation for local families. 
 
2. What is a primary concern raised by villagers regarding the Kalai-II hydroelectric project? 
A) The project’s estimated cost exceeding ₹20,000 crore. 
B) Lack of transparency in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and the large area of submergence affecting up to 1,500 people. 
C) The use of outdated turbine technology that reduces power generation capacity. 
D) Insufficient infrastructure development plans in sectors like healthcare and education.

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