The 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project on the Lohit River in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh has received the environmental clearance from a Union Environment Ministry expert panel, Indian Express reported.

Citing official minutes of the meeting, the report stated that the Centre’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on river valley and hydroelectric projects cleared the Kalai-II hydel proposal during its meeting held on 19 December.

The Environmental Impact Assessment report for the project was reportedly prepared by WAPCOS Ltd, a government-owned enterprise and an accredited EIA consultant.

The project will be developed by THDC India Ltd at an estimated cost of Rs 14,176.26 crore and is planned on the Lohit River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, near Hawai village in Anjaw district.

The pondage-based project involves the construction of a 128.5-metre concrete gravity dam along with an underground powerhouse.

Located in the Lohit river basin of Anjaw district, the project comprises six units of 190 MW and one unit of 60 MW.

The hydropower plant is projected to generate around 4.85 terawatt-hours of electricity annually.

Kalai-II is among 13 stalled hydropower projects revived in 2024 through memoranda of agreement with four central public sector undertakings and is expected to create about 1,700 direct jobs, along with supporting infrastructure development.