The Cabinet Committee on Economics Affairs (CCEA) has approved an expenditure of Rs 1,600 crore on pre-investment activities and various clearances for 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project (MPP) in Arunachal Pradesh.

The 278 mtrs-high dam is being developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The project will generate 2880 MW (12x240MW) power to produce 11,223 MU of energy in a 90 percent dependable year. It will be the largest ever hydro-electric projects to be constructed in India, once completed.

The estimated total cost of the project is Rs 28080.35 crore including IDC & FC of Rs 3974.95 crore at Jun'18 price level. It has a completion period of nine years from the date of receipt of the government sanction.

The project has obtained all statutory clearances viz. TEC, environment clearance (EC), forest clearance (FC) (stage-1) and defence clearance except forest clearance (stage-ll) for seeking investment sanction from the Union government.

The approval of anticipated expenditure on pre-investment activities and various clearances will enable payment towards the compensation for land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) activities (Rs 500.40 crore) to project-affected families and state government, construction of roads and bridges for accessing project site and various other mandated requirements.

Dibang Multipurpose Project (Dibang MPP) is envisaged as a storage based hydro-electric project for flood moderation. The project envisages construction of a 278 m-high concrete gravity dam (above deepest foundation level), six horseshoe-shaped head race tunnels of length varying from 300 m to 600 m with 9 m dia., an underground power house and six horseshoe-shaped tail race tunnels of length varying from 320 m to 470 m with 9 m dia.