Subansiri Hydro Project Hits Major Milestone with Unit 7 Installation

Construction on the long-delayed 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP) has officially advanced with the installation of the spiral casing for Unit 7, marking a key milestone in the project’s execution.

The installation was witnessed by Mohammad Afzal, Joint Secretary (Hydro), Ministry of Power, along with senior officials from NHPC Ltd., including Rajneesh Agarwal and Rajendra Prasad. Speaking on the occasion, Afzal lauded the engineering team’s commitment, highlighting the spiral casing installation as a significant technical achievement that demonstrates progress on India’s largest under-construction hydroelectric project.

Approved in 2003, SLHEP has faced multiple setbacks, including an eight-year suspension following intense local and environmental opposition. The stalemate was resolved in October 2019 after the National Green Tribunal granted environmental clearance, allowing work to resume.

Situated 2.3 km upstream on the Subansiri River near the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border, the project is expected to deliver clean and sustainable power to the northeastern and eastern regions, supporting both regional development and national energy security.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.