The Union Environment Ministry’s expert panel has recommended environmental clearance (EC) for the 2,220 MW Oju hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district.

This makes it India’s third-largest hydropower project to receive such approval, after the 3,087 MW Etalin and 2,880 MW Dibang projects, all located in the same state. The Oju project, to be executed by Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corporation at a cost of Rs 24,942 crore, will harness the Subansiri river’s flow and have a storage capacity of 15.66 million cubic mtrs. It is expected to be completed in five years.

The Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee has directed the inclusion of glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and flash flood scenarios in its design, along with a real-time monitoring and early warning system in coordination with local authorities. Arunachal, with only 1,256 MW of installed capacity currently, holds nearly 38 percent of India’s total hydropower potential, making it central to India’s renewable energy strategy.