Why in News?

  • The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended environmental clearance for the 2,220 MW Oju Hydroelectric Project in Taksing, Arunachal Pradesh, near the India-China border.
  • This project is the largest among the cascade of hydroelectric projects proposed on the Subansiri river basin.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Feature Details
Project Name Oju Hydroelectric Project
Location Subansiri River, ~5 km downstream of Redi village, Taksing block, Upper Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh
Developer Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corporation Pvt. Ltd.
Installed Capacity Total: 2,220 MW – Main power plant: 2,100 MW – Dam-toe plant: 120 MW
River Basin Subansiri River Basin
Public Hearing Conducted in August 2024 at Redi village
Land Requirements – Forest land diversion: 750 ha – Submergence area: 43 ha
Displacement 9 families to be displaced
OTHER PLANNED HEPs
  • Upper Subansiri
  • Lower Subansiri
  • Niare
  • Naba
  • Nalo
  • Dengser
Oju is the uppermost project in the cascade and has the largest capacity

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL IMPACT

Environmental Assessments
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Assessment and Dam Break Analysis
  • Dangerous glacial lakes identified.
Land & Forest Impact
  • 750 ha of forest land to be diverted.
  • Submergence of 43 ha, including ecologically sensitive areas.
Displacement & Rehabilitation
  • 9 families to be displaced.
  • Public hearing conducted at Redi village (Aug 2024).

CONCERNS RAISED

By Environmentalist Bimal Gogoi (Assam-based activist):

  • The Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) and Carrying Capacity Study (CCS) of the Subansiri basin were last done in 2014, making the data over a decade old.
  • Called for updated studies to reflect current ecological and hydrological conditions.

GOVT & EAC RESPONSE

  • EAC acknowledged that the CIA and CCS were outdated (from 2014).
  • However, after detailed discussions on hydrology and ecological flow data, the EAC accepted the project proponent’s justifications and additional data.
  • Emphasised that design flood estimations must factor in glacial lake flood

STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

  • Located in Upper Subansiri near the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) — adds to strategic infrastructure development in a sensitive border region.
  • Supports India’s hydropower ambitions and energy security in the Northeast.
  • Part of India’s efforts to enhance presence and connectivity in the Arunachal frontier, seen in light of increasing Chinese infrastructure development across the border.

WAY FORWARD

  • Update CIA and CCS studies to reflect 2020s data and climate trends.
  • Conduct biodiversity assessments with more granularity
  • Implement strong rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) packages for affected families.
  • Ensure glacial lake flood risk mitigation infrastructure is robust and anticipates climate change impacts.
  • Engage in interstate consultations, especially with Assam, which has concerns about downstream impacts of Subansiri projects.