Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has begun a landmark geothermal pumping test at Dirang in West Kameng district, marking a major step toward harnessing clean and sustainable energy in the Eastern Himalayas.
The Centre for Earth Sciences & Himalayan Studies (CESHS), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, is conducting the test to evaluate the sustainability and productivity of the subsurface geothermal reservoir — a crucial step before its use in heating, cooling, and agro-processing applications.
Tana Tage, Director of CESHS, said the initiative represents a transformative stride toward renewable, region-specific energy solutions.
“This pioneering development paves the way for a new era of clean energy in the Himalayas and showcases the potential of geothermal resources to improve livelihoods while protecting the environment,” he said.
The operation, launched on Monday, involves CESHS scientists and engineers working under the supervision of Rajinder Bhasin, Geotechnical Engineer at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), along with geothermal experts from Geotropy Iceland.
Dirang’s geothermal production well — the first of its kind in the region — follows two years of extensive geochemical and structural surveys across western Arunachal Pradesh.
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Preliminary studies estimate the reservoir temperature at around 115°C, categorising it as a medium-to-high enthalpy source suitable for direct-use projects.
The project is being implemented through international collaboration between CESHS, NGI (Norway), Geotropy (Iceland), and local drilling partners, Guwahati Boring Service.
Officials said the successful completion of the pumping test will pave the way for deeper drilling and operational deployment of geothermal systems, with a long-term vision to make Dirang India’s first geothermal-powered town.
