Public hearing held for Rs 14,000-crore Kalai-II Hydropower project in Arunachal’s Anjaw district

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 21, 2025

The Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) on Wednesday held a public hearing on the proposed 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project in Anjaw district, to be developed by THDC India Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 14,000 crore.

The hearing, chaired by Anjaw deputy commissioner Millo Kojin, drew over 350 project-affected persons (PAFs) from 33 villages, along with Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul, THDC officials, and consultants from WAPCOS Ltd.

Pul, recalling that her late husband and former chief minister Kalikho Pul initiated surveys for Kalai-I and II in 2009, urged villagers to support the project. She assured that 50% of jobs would go to land-affected families and highlighted the potential for self-employment and entrepreneurship. Citing Uttarakhand’s Tehri dam, she said the project would bring long-term benefits to the region.

Officials said Kalai-II is expected to generate free power worth Rs 318 crore annually and contribute Rs 2.2 crore each year to the Local Area Development Fund. The project, revived last year along with 12 other stalled hydro schemes through MoAs with four central PSUs, is projected to create about 1,700 direct jobs and boost infrastructure in roads, healthcare, and education.

While most participants welcomed the initiative, some raised concerns over land rates, compensation, and employment guarantees. APSPCB officials explained the environmental clearance process, while THDC executives assured that all genuine issues would be addressed in line with policy. DC Kojin said villagers’ suggestions would be recorded and proposed exposure visits to the Tehri dam for representatives of affected villages.