CCEA Approves ₹26,069 Crore Kamala Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has granted formal investment approval for the Kamala Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, valuing the total investment at ₹26,069.50 crore. Formerly designated as the Subansiri Middle Project, the scheme is being developed by NHPC Limited through a joint venture arrangement with the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh. This approved figure represents the total investment value, distinguishing it from the base project cost of ₹23,764.01 crore cited in preliminary technical filings.

Technical Specifications and Energy Output

The project is designed as a storage-based scheme located in the Lower Himalayan region. Due to its geographical positioning, all structures are engineered to meet the requirements of Seismic Zone V. Technical parameters include:

• Total Installed Capacity: 1,720 MW.
• Unit Configuration: Eight main units of 210 MW each, plus one 40 MW auxiliary unit specifically designed to maintain continuous environmental flow releases.
• Annual Generation: 6,869.92 Million Units (MU) in a 90% dependable year.
• Dam Characteristics: A concrete gravity dam with a height of 216 meters from the deepest foundation level and a top length of 628 meters.
• Design Discharge: 1310.47 cumec.

Financial Allocation Breakdown

The financial structuring includes specific budgetary support for non-power objectives, such as infrastructure and flood management.

Project Scope and Regional Impact

Affected Districts The project footprint extends across the districts of Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Kurung Kumey. While the primary infrastructure and the majority of the reservoir are situated within Kamle and Kra Daadi, land acquisition in Kurung Kumey is specifically earmarked for flood moderation purposes. Under normal operating conditions, the reservoir is not designed to extend into the Kurung Kumey district.

State Benefits Arunachal Pradesh is entitled to a 12% free power allocation from the project. This provision is established within the legal and economic framework to ensure long-term revenue for the state.

Land Utilization The total land requirement is 3858.8904 hectares (Ha), categorized as follows:

• Forest Land: 3278.0904 Ha.
• Non-Forest Land: 580.80 Ha.
• Submergence Area: 2665.00 Ha (below the Full Reservoir Level of 455 meters).

Implementation Timeline and Socio-Economic Provisions

The project is scheduled for completion within a 96-month (8-year) construction window. The following mandates have been established to address socio-economic requirements for the 126 affected villages:

1. Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R): A provision of ₹394.00 crore has been allocated to support 5,440 identified Project Affected Families (PAFs).
2. Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER): An allocation of ₹11,264.00 lakh (₹112.64 crore) is designated for community infrastructure and welfare.
3. Healthcare Infrastructure: Establishment of a 50-bed multi-specialty hospital. Medical facilities must be provided free of cost to the tribal population residing within a 10 km radius of the project.
4. Educational Facilities: Construction and management of a school providing education up to the 12th Standard for children from project-affected villages.
5. Skill Development: Implementation of a Skill Development Plan, including the establishment of a dedicated center to promote traditional arts and technical vocational training.

Environmental and Safety Safeguards

The project incorporates dual-purpose engineering for power and downstream safety. To manage sediment, the dam design includes a low crest level to facilitate seasonal silt flushing.

• Flood Moderation: The structure features a 15-meter exclusive cushion above the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) to provide significant flood attenuation for the Subansiri basin.
• Waste Management: Total muck generation is estimated at 105.95 lakh cum (with some technical estimates at 87.09 lakh cum). Four designated muck disposal yards provide a total capacity of 198.93 lakh cum, ensuring a substantial disposal surplus.
• Environmental Flow (E-Flow): Discharge requirements were determined by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in 2015 and the MoEF&CC in 2016 as part of the Subansiri Basin study.

Minimum environmental flow requirements are set at 28.45 cumec for lean months, 220.54 cumec for monsoon months, and 93.14 cumec for the remaining months. These flows are maintained through the continuous operation of the 40 MW auxiliary unit.