Expenditure for Dibang hydropower project okayed.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Rs. 1,600-crore expenditure for pre-investment activities for the Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 28,080.35 crore at June 2018 price levels, an official statement said.

The 2,880-MW hydropower project will be the largest hydro electric project to be constructed in India. At 278 meters, this will be the highest dam in the country. Arunachal Pradesh will get 12 per cent free power from the project, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javdekar, said.

One per cent free power will be given under Local Area Development Fund (LADF). The total benefit to Arunachal Pradesh from free power and contribution to the LADF will be Rs. 26,785 crore over the project life of 40 years. The project is envisaged as a storage-based hydro-electric project with flood moderation as the key objective. The construction of Dibang MPP shall prevent the sizeable downstream area from floods.

Dam Safety Bill

The Cabinet also approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2019 in Parliament.

HBL