🗞️ Why in News The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the ₹14,105.83 crore Kalai-II run-of-river hydroelectric project on the Lohit River in Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh. It is the first hydro project in the Lohit Basin and will be implemented as a joint venture between THDC India Limited (an NTPC subsidiary) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Project Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project |
| Type | Run-of-River (RoR) — no large reservoir |
| Installed capacity | 1,200 MW (6 × 190 MW + 1 × 60 MW = 7 units) |
| Annual generation | 4,852.95 million units (MU) |
| Project cost | ₹14,105.83 crore |
| Location | Lohit River, Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Approving body | Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) |
| Implementing agency | THDC India Limited (JV partner) + Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh |
| Basin significance | First hydro project in the Lohit River Basin |
The Lohit River — Geographic Context
The Lohit River is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra (Assam calls it the Lohit) and one of three main rivers that join to form the Brahmaputra in Assam.
Key Facts — Lohit River
- Origin: Zayul Chu (Tibetan name) — rises in eastern Tibet
- Enters India through the Kibithoo area of Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh
- Flows through Arunachal Pradesh before joining the Brahmaputra at Sadiya (Assam)
- Length in India: ~200 km
- Drainage basin: Shares watershed with Dibang and Siang rivers
- The Lohit River Basin has remained largely untapped for hydropower — Kalai-II is the first project approved in this basin
Anjaw District
- Easternmost district of Arunachal Pradesh (and of India)
- Borders: China (northeast), Myanmar (east), Nagaland (south)
- District headquarters: Hayuliang
- Strategic significance: Border district with China’s Yunnan Province
Implementing Agencies
THDC India Limited
- Full name: THDC India Limited (formerly Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Ltd)
- Ownership: NTPC holds 74.5% stake (making it an NTPC subsidiary)
- Government of India holds the remainder through Ministry of Power
- Primary mandate: Development of hydro and other renewable projects
- Major existing project: Tehri Hydro Power Complex (Uttarakhand) — 2,400 MW
Joint Venture Structure
- THDC India Limited + Government of Arunachal Pradesh — JV for Kalai-II
- This follows the established model for hydro projects in Arunachal Pradesh: PSU + State government JV
- State equity participation ensures Arunachal Pradesh receives royalties and employment benefits
Run-of-River Technology — UPSC Context
A run-of-river (RoR) hydroelectric project uses the natural flow of a river without creating a large storage reservoir. This has significant implications:
| Feature | Run-of-River | Storage Dam |
|---|---|---|
| Water storage | Minimal — diversion weir only | Large reservoir |
| Environmental impact | Lower displacement, lower submergence | High submergence, displacement |
| Power generation | Seasonal variation (depends on river flow) | Can regulate output year-round |
| Construction time | Generally faster | Slower |
| Example | Kalai-II, Subansiri Lower | Bhakra-Nangal, Tehri |
Employment and Social Benefits
- Direct employment: Approximately 1,700 jobs during construction and operation
- Reservation policy: 50% of jobs reserved for project-affected families (PAFs) — a standard NHPC/hydro project policy
- Local procurement: Preference for materials sourced from Arunachal Pradesh
India’s Hydropower Ambitions — Policy Context
National Hydropower Target
India has set a target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Hydro is classified as renewable energy (after the Electricity (Amendment) Act notifications) and counts toward this target.
| Hydro Policy Development | Details |
|---|---|
| Large hydro → Renewable (2019) | Ministry of New & Renewable Energy classified large hydro (>25 MW) as RE — eligible for RPO targets |
| Hydro Purchase Obligation (HPO) | States must purchase a minimum % of power from hydro sources |
| ₹12,000 crore incentive | Central financial assistance for hydro projects >25 MW above a cost threshold |
Arunachal Pradesh Hydro Potential
- Arunachal Pradesh has a theoretical hydro potential of ~50,000 MW — one of the highest in India
- Only a fraction (~3,000 MW) is currently developed
- Key rivers: Brahmaputra (Siang), Subansiri, Kameng, Lohit, Dibang
- Strategic dimension: Developing hydro capacity in Arunachal Pradesh also signals Indian infrastructure presence in a border state disputed by China
UPSC Relevance
| Paper | Angle |
|---|---|
| GS3 — Economy | Hydropower policy; renewable energy targets; PSU-state JV model |
| GS3 — Environment | Run-of-river vs storage dam; river basin ecology |
| GS1 — Geography | Lohit River basin; Anjaw District; Brahmaputra tributaries |
| GS2 — Governance | CCEA; Centre-state infrastructure partnership |
| Prelims | Lohit River origin; Anjaw District; THDC India Limited ownership; annual generation figure |
📌 Facts Corner
Kalai-II HEP: Cost: ₹14,105.83 crore | Capacity: 1,200 MW (6×190 MW + 1×60 MW) | Annual generation: 4,852.95 MU | River: Lohit River | District: Anjaw, Arunachal Pradesh | Approved by: CCEA | Implementing JV: THDC India Limited (NTPC subsidiary, 74.5% stake) + Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh | Basin first: First project in Lohit Basin | Type: Run-of-River | Jobs: ~1,700; 50% reserved for PAFs | Lohit River: originates in Tibet; joins Brahmaputra at Sadiya | THDC major project: Tehri Hydro (2,400 MW, Uttarakhand) | GS3: Economy, Environment; GS1: Geography
