The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved investment for Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh. CCEA has approved an expenditure of Rs 1,600 crore on pre-investment activities and various clearances for the project.

The estimated total cost of the project is Rs 28,080.35 crore and the estimated completion period is nine years from receipt of government sanction. The project will generate 2,880 MW (12 x 240 MW) power and is the largest ever hydroelectric project to be constructed in India.

The dam is 278 mtr high and once completed it will be the highest dam in India. The project is located on river Dibang in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh. It envisages construction of 278 mtr high concrete gravity dam.

On completion, the government of Arunachal Pradesh will get 12 percent free power from the project. One percent free power will be given in Local Area Development Fund (LADF). The total value of benefit to Arunachal Pradesh from free power and contribution to LADF will be Rs 26,785 crore over the project life of 40 years.

Dibang Multipurpose Project is envisaged as a storage-based hydro-electric project with flood moderation as the key objective. The construction of the project will help in preventing the sizeable downstream area from floods.

The project is a part of implementation of master plan by Brahmaputra Board for flood moderation of all rivers contributing to river Brahmaputra. The undertaking has all statutory clearances including environment clearance (EC), forest clearance (Stage-l) and defence clearance except forest clearance (Stage-II) for seeking Investment Sanction from the Centre.

The approval of anticipated expenditure on pre-investment activities and various clearances will enable payment towards compensation for land acquisition and R&R activities worth Rs 500.40 crore to the project-affected families and state government, Catchment Area Treatment Plan (CAT) to the state government for forest lands, to secure the Forest Clearance (Stage-lI) and construction of roads and bridges for accessing the project site.

In addition to the mandated R&R plan, it is also proposed to spend Rs 241 crore on Community and Social Development plan and certain concerns raised by local people during public hearings.