Cabinet nod to 2,880MW hydel project in Dibang

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday gave the green light to the 2,880 megawatts (MW) Dibang hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, approving a ₹1,600 crore pre-investment and clearance expenditure for the ₹28,080.35 crore strategic project. The move is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s focus on the northeastern region. Mint reported on 12 June that the power ministry planned to seek the CCEA’s approval for pre-construction activities for the project, as part of the proposed 100-day action plan for the second term of the Narendra Modi government and is strategically important for the country. India and China have been at loggerheads over the diversion of the Brahmaputra river, which originates in Tibet. Accelerating hydroelectric projects such as Dibang would give user rights to India even as it explores a diplomatic option. “The Dibang Multipurpose Project (Dibang MPP) is envisaged as a storage based hydroelectric project with flood moderation as the key objective.... After implementation of the master plan of the Brahmaputra Board for flood moderation of all rivers contributing to river Brahmaputra, of which Dibang MPP is one component, a sizable area will be protected from flooding and help in mitigating the perennial damage due to floods in Assam," the government said.

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