HAWAI, Aug 20: The Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) on Wednesday conducted a public hearing for environmental clearance to the proposed 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project in Anjaw district, being developed by THDC India Limited.
The hearing, chaired by Anjaw Deputy Commissioner Millo Kojin, Minister for Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul also attended the meeting alongside THDC officials, and over 350 project-affected persons (PAFs) from 33 villages.
Recalling that her late husband and former chief minister Kalikho Pul had initiated survey work for Kalai-I and Kalai-II in 2009, Minister Pul expressed happiness that his vision was close to materializing. She urged locals to support the project, citing Uttarakhand’s Tehri dam as an example of the far-reaching benefits of hydropower. She further assured that 50% of employment opportunities would be reserved for land-affected families, along with avenues for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
With an estimated investment of nearly ₹14,000 crore, the Kalai-II project is expected to generate free power worth ₹318 crore annually after commissioning and contribute ₹2.2 crore every year to the Local Area Development Fund. Officials said the project, one of 13 stalled hydro schemes revived last year through MoAs signed with four central PSUs, will create around 1,700 direct jobs while boosting infrastructure such as roads, healthcare, and education.
During the hearing, APSPCB officials explained the environmental clearance process, while THDC and its consultant WAPCOS Ltd presented details of environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures.
Although the majority of speakers extended their support, some villagers raised concerns regarding land rates, compensation, employment, and local development. Summing up, DC Kojin assured that these concerns would be recorded in the minutes and announced exposure visits for two representatives from each affected village to Uttarakhand’s Tehri dam.
THDC Executive Director A.K. Ghildiyal, along with senior officials, assured that genuine issues raised by stakeholders would be addressed in accordance with rules and guidelines.
