Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) on Wednesday conducted a public hearing for the proposed 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project in Anjaw district, which borders China.
The hearing was part of the process to obtain environmental clearance for the project being developed by THDC India Limited.
The session, chaired by Anjaw Deputy Commissioner Millo Kojin, witnessed participation from Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul—who is also the local MLA—THDC officials, and representatives of project-affected families from 33 villages.
Pul, recalling that her late husband and former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul initiated survey work for Kalai-I and II in 2009, expressed satisfaction at seeing his vision move closer to reality.
She urged local communities to extend their support for the project, citing Uttarakhand’s Tehri Dam as an example of the benefits large hydropower projects can bring.
Pul also assured that 50 percent of jobs under the project would be reserved for families whose land is being acquired, in addition to creating opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
With an estimated investment of Rs. 4,000 crore, Kalai-II is projected to generate free power worth Rs. 318 crore annually after commissioning, while contributing Rs. 2.2 crore each year to the Local Area Development Fund.
Officials noted that the project—one of 13 stalled hydro schemes revived last year through agreements with four central public sector undertakings—will create around 1,700 direct jobs and spur development in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and allied sectors.
During the hearing, SPCB officials outlined the clearance process, while THDC and its consultant WCOS Ltd presented detailed assessments of the project’s environmental impact and proposed mitigation measures.
ALSO READ: Two orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs released into wild after rehabilitation
Representatives of the affected families raised concerns regarding land compensation, employment guarantees, and local area development.
Addressing these issues, the deputy commissioner proposed exposure visits for two representatives from each affected village to Uttarakhand’s Tehri Dam to better understand the potential benefits.
THDC executive director A. K. Ghildiyal and other senior officials assured that all genuine concerns would be addressed in accordance with established rules and guidelines.
