Cabinet approves 2880 MW Dibang MPP in Arunachal Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved expenditure on pre-investment activities and various clearances for Dibang Multipurpose Project (MPP) in Arunachal Pradesh for an amount of Rs.1600 crore.

About Dibang Multipurpose Project

Dibang MPP, a storage based hydro-electric project is the largest ever Hydro Electric Projects to be constructed in India. The envisaged height of Concrete Gravity Dam is 278 metres and on completion it will be highest dam in India.

Project is located on Dibang River, in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh. It envisages construction of a 278 m high Concrete Gravity Dam (above deepest foundation level), 6 Nos. horseshoe-shaped Head Race Tunnels of length varying from 300-600 m with 9 m diameter, an underground Power House and 6 Nos. horseshoe-shaped Tail Race Tunnels of length varying from 320 m-470 m with 9m diameter.

Key Objective behind construction of Dibang MPP is flood moderation as it shall prevent sizeable downstream area from floods.

Dibang MPP is one of the components of master plan of Brahmaputra Board for flood moderation of all rivers contributing to river Brahmaputra. After implementation of Brahmaputra Board’s master plan sizable area will be protected from flooding and help in mitigating perennial damage due to floods in Assam.

Project Cost: Estimated total cost of Project- Rs.28080.35 including Construction (IDC) & Financing Charges (FC) of Rs.3974.95 crore at June 2018 price level.

Project Completion:  Estimated completion period for project shall be 9 years from receipt of Government sanction.

Power Generation: Project shall generate 2880 Megawatt (12x240MW) power to produce 11223MU (Million Units) of energy in 90% dependable year.

Power Distribution: On completion, Government of Arunachal Pradesh will get 12% free power from project i.e. 1346.76 MU. 1% free power (i.e. 112 MUs) will be given in Local Area Development Fund(LADF). Estimated project life would be 40 years.

Clearances: Project already has all statutory clearances namely TEC, Environment Clearance, Forest Clearance (Stage-l) and Defence Clearance except Forest Clearance (Stage-II) for seeking Investment Sanction from Centre.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2019