NHPC's 3,000 MW Dibang hydroelectric project (HEP) in Arunachal Pradesh is in troubled waters.

The project has not yet received investment approval from the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs and forest clearance from the State government.

To make matters worse, the state has still not completed the process of allocating the land required for compensatory forestation. Out of the 10,113 ha of forest land required, only 4,743 ha have been identified in the Dibang and Nimsai forest divisions.

The rapid completion of the Lohit Bridge, which is necessary for the movement of key equipment, including the generator, for the project seem bleak since the contract for the bridge construction has not been awarded yet.

The Rs 16,425 crore project involves the construction of a concrete gravity dam, with a height of 288 mtrs and is likely to have six head race tunnels. On completion, the project is expected to generate 11,330 million units of electricity per year.

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NHPC to foray into wind power (29-May-09)

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