Hydroelectricity at Arunachal Pradesh - I

Arunachal Pradesh is bestowed with huge hydroelectric potential and is speculated to become the 'Power House' of the country if this hydroelectric potential is tapped.

The identified hydroelectric capacity in respect of Arunachal Pradesh as per re-assessment study as on 30-04-2006 comes to 50,328 MW (source: -CEA Central Electricity Authority) and so far only about 0.8% of this capacity has been tapped owing to the difficult geographical terrain and inaccessability of possible project sites.

In a landmark move towards making this state Power House of India, the State Government on 21st of September, entered into MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) with CPSU power giants viz., N.H.P.C Ltd., N.T.P.C. Ltd. and NEEPCO Ltd., for harnessing 10,230 MW of hydroelectricity capacity out of the CEA estimated hydroelectricity capacity of 50,238 MW. These power giants would pump in around Rs. 42,242.66/- Crs. (estimated project cost) to harness this 10,230 MW of hydro power. Listed below are projects for which MoA has been entered into: -

I. Tawang - I Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity : 750 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU) : 3156.10
iii. Location : Tawang District
iv. Implementing Agency : National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (N.H.P.C)
v. Basis of Funding : BOO (Build, Own and Operate)

II. Tawang - II Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity : 750 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU) : 3480.40
iii. Location : Tawang District
iv. Implementing Agency : N.H.P.C
v. Basis of Funding : BOO (Build, Own and Operate)

III. Dibang Multipurpose Project
i. Installed Capacity : 3000 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 12270
iii. Location: Lower Dibang Valley District
iv. Implementing Agency: NHPC Ltd.
v. Basis of Funding: A Joint venture between Government of Arunachal Pradesh and NHPC Ltd.

IV. Kameng - I (Bharali - I) Hydroelectric Project
i.Installed Capacity : 1120 MW
ii.Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 4112.40
iii.Location: East Kameng District
iv.Implementing Agency: North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO)
v.Basis of Funding: BOO

V.Pare Hydroelectric Project
i.Installed Capacity : 110 MW
ii.Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 491.74
iii.Location : Papum Pare District
iv.Implementing Agency: NEEPCO
v.Basis of Funding : BOO

VI. Etalin Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity: 4000 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 16071.60
iii. Location : Dibang Valley District
iv. Implementing Agency: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC)
v. Basis of Funding: BOO

VII. Atunli Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity : 500 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU) : 2247.32
iii. Location : Dibang Valley District
iv. Implementing Agency : NTPC
v. Basis of Funding: BOO

These Hydroelectric Projects would be constructed taking all the environmental safeguards in accordance with the conditions of Ministry of Environment and Forests besides making additional inve
stments by way of Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) etc. for control of soil erosion as declared by the Ministry of Power in a press release on 22-09-2006. The main highlight of the MoA was the creation of Local Area Development Trust (LADT) to take up development activities for the people of affected areas. Besides, 12 pc of free power the state will accrue from these projects, the projects would contribute 1 paise per unit of electricity generated to the trust (LADT).

With the signing of MoA, it is being said that the state is ushering into an era of progress and prosperity (....to be seen later).

As in any mega projects, there was mixed reaction from the populations of the state - some welcoming the move and some having reservations about these Mega Projects fearing it would dilute the socio-economic and socio-cultural identity of the region (the points to be discussed later).

Hydroelectricity at Arunachal Pradesh - I

Arunachal Pradesh is bestowed with huge hydroelectric potential and is speculated to become the 'Power House' of the country if this hydroelectric potential is tapped.

The identified hydroelectric capacity in respect of Arunachal Pradesh as per re-assessment study as on 30-04-2006 comes to 50,328 MW (source: -CEA Central Electricity Authority) and so far only about 0.8% of this capacity has been tapped owing to the difficult geographical terrain and inaccessability of possible project sites.

In a landmark move towards making this state Power House of India, the State Government on 21st of September, entered into MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) with CPSU power giants viz., N.H.P.C Ltd., N.T.P.C. Ltd. and NEEPCO Ltd., for harnessing 10,230 MW of hydroelectricity capacity out of the CEA estimated hydroelectricity capacity of 50,238 MW. These power giants would pump in around Rs. 42,242.66/- Crs. (estimated project cost) to harness this 10,230 MW of hydro power. Listed below are projects for which MoA has been entered into: -

I. Tawang - I Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity : 750 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU) : 3156.10
iii. Location : Tawang District
iv. Implementing Agency : National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (N.H.P.C)
v. Basis of Funding : BOO (Build, Own and Operate)

II. Tawang - II Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity : 750 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU) : 3480.40
iii. Location : Tawang District
iv. Implementing Agency : N.H.P.C
v. Basis of Funding : BOO (Build, Own and Operate)

III. Dibang Multipurpose Project
i. Installed Capacity : 3000 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 12270
iii. Location: Lower Dibang Valley District
iv. Implementing Agency: NHPC Ltd.
v. Basis of Funding: A Joint venture between Government of Arunachal Pradesh and NHPC Ltd.

IV. Kameng - I (Bharali - I) Hydroelectric Project
i.Installed Capacity : 1120 MW
ii.Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 4112.40
iii.Location: East Kameng District
iv.Implementing Agency: North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO)
v.Basis of Funding: BOO

V.Pare Hydroelectric Project
i.Installed Capacity : 110 MW
ii.Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 491.74
iii.Location : Papum Pare District
iv.Implementing Agency: NEEPCO
v.Basis of Funding : BOO

VI. Etalin Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity: 4000 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU): 16071.60
iii. Location : Dibang Valley District
iv. Implementing Agency: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC)
v. Basis of Funding: BOO

VII. Atunli Hydro Electric Project
i. Installed Capacity : 500 MW
ii. Annual Energy Generation (in MU) : 2247.32
iii. Location : Dibang Valley District
iv. Implementing Agency : NTPC
v. Basis of Funding: BOO

These Hydroelectric Projects would be constructed taking all the environmental safeguards in accordance with the conditions of Ministry of Environment and Forests besides making additional investments by way of Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) etc. for control of soil erosion as declared by the Ministry of Power in a press release on 22-09-2006. The main highlight of the MoA was the creation of Local Area Development Trust (LADT) to take up development activities for the people of affected areas. Besides, 12 pc of free power the state will accrue from these projects, the projects would contribute 1 paise per unit of electricity generated to the trust (LADT).

With the signing of MoA, it is being said that the state is ushering into an era of progress and prosperity (....to be seen later).

As in any mega projects, there was mixed reaction from the populations of the state - some welcoming the move and some having reservations about these Mega Projects fearing it would dilute the socio-economic and socio-cultural identity of the region (the points to be discussed later).

Virtual Street Lighting?

Where on earth would you find virtual street lighting as a result of peoples' endeavour; but of course at Ziro (Hapoli) Township. (Photo at right)

Thanks to the business fraternity of this small twin town which lit up the streets of Hapoli township which otherwise would remain pitch black making it safe haven for anti social elements.

It all started with "Hapoli Bazaar Committee" deciding to put up one light points in every shops/ business establishments in and around Ziro-Hapoli Township in wake of series of burglaries at business establishments/shops quite sometiome ago and failure of law enforcing agencies to check the burglary even after presence of police beat post at the centre of Gandhi Market (incidentally the burglaries took place right under their nose) and failure of administration to check law and order and concerned department to provide street lighting in and around this township.

Now it is to be seen how much has the administration learned from this public endeavour of providing virtual street lighting at Hapoli Township and how much the administration is ready to make this place a safe place to live in.

Virtual Street Lighting?

Where on earth would you find virtual street lighting as a result of peoples' endeavour; but of course at Ziro (Hapoli) Township. (Photo at right)

Thanks to the business fraternity of this small twin town which lit up the streets of Hapoli township which otherwise would remain pitch black making it safe haven for anti social elements.

It all started with "Hapoli Bazaar Committee" deciding to put up one light points in every shops/ business establishments in and around Ziro-Hapoli Township in wake of series of burglaries at business establishments/shops quite sometiome ago and failure of law enforcing agencies to check the burglary even after presence of police beat post at the centre of Gandhi Market (incidentally the burglaries took place right under their nose) and failure of administration to check law and order and concerned department to provide street lighting in and around this township.

Now it is to be seen how much has the administration learned from this public endeavour of providing virtual street lighting at Hapoli Township and how much the administration is ready to make this place a safe place to live in.

RL 5754?

This is the benchmark which indicates the highest road altitude in and around Ziro-Hapoli Township which is located 5 kms away from Hapoli. But each time I pass through this mark, it made me wonder what does RL 5754 signifies...... :-? Is it 5754 m or is it 5754 ft ....

RL 5754?

This is the benchmark which indicates the highest road altitude in and around Ziro-Hapoli Township which is located 5 kms away from Hapoli. But each time I pass through this mark, it made me wonder what does RL 5754 signifies...... :-? Is it 5754 m or is it 5754 ft ....

Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan Raffle Lottery Draw - Part 2

Last evening I was watching news programme on a Local Channel when all of a sudden sky fell upon me. Just when I thought that the entire controversy of this Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan Raffle Lottery Draw has died down, the Secretary of AAPDPVBRDTHC announced in the channel, of another agitation (read Bandh Call) if outcome of the "One Man Enquiry Committee" is not favourable.

Now, assuming that all the prizes have been disbursed (as was published in local daily) would the AAPDPVBRDTHC get favourable outcome (which I presume that earlier results be dismissed and fresh draw be conducted) from "One Man Enquiry"? or should we be prepared for another round of Bandh Calls? Let's wait and watch till the enquiry report is filed......

Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan Raffle Lottery Draw - Part 2

Last evening I was watching news programme on a Local Channel when all of a sudden sky fell upon me. Just when I thought that the entire controversy of this Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan Raffle Lottery Draw has died down, the Secretary of AAPDPVBRDTHC announced in the channel, of another agitation (read Bandh Call) if outcome of the "One Man Enquiry Committee" is not favourable.

Now, assuming that all the prizes have been disbursed (as was published in local daily) would the AAPDPVBRDTHC get favourable outcome (which I presume that earlier results be dismissed and fresh draw be conducted) from "One Man Enquiry"? or should we be prepared for another round of Bandh Calls? Let's wait and watch till the enquiry report is filed......