Arunachal’s Hydro Power Push: Oju Project Gets Green Light

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has recommended environmental clearance for the 2,220 MW Oju hydroelectric project, to be developed in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district.

This approval positions Oju as India’s third-largest hydropower project to receive such a recommendation, following the 3,087 MW Etalin and 2,880 MW Dibang projects—both also located in Arunachal Pradesh. The project will be executed by Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corporation at an estimated cost of ₹24,942 crore and is slated for completion within five years.

Designed to harness the Subansiri River’s flow, the project will include a reservoir with a storage capacity of 15.66 million cubic metres. The EAC has mandated that the project design incorporate scenarios related to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and flash floods, along with the establishment of a real-time monitoring and early warning system in collaboration with local authorities.

Despite currently having just 1,256 MW of installed hydropower capacity, Arunachal Pradesh holds nearly 38% of India’s total hydropower potential. Projects like Oju are seen as key components of India's long-term renewable energy strategy.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.