Lok Sabha Question No. 2959 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Development of Hydro Power Capacity in North-Eastern States
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Dilip Saikia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2959

## ANSWERED ON 12.12.2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF HYDRO POWER CAPACITY IN NORTH-EASTERN STATES

†2959. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  schemes  being  implemented  for  the  development  of hydropower capacity in the North-Eastern States;
- (b) the details of the Central assistance being provided for the same along with the total cost involved under the said schemes; and
- (c) whether  the  said  schemes  would  ease  the  investment  and  create  the opportunities  of  direct  employment  of  the  local  people  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) :   The details of schemes being implemented for development of hydropower in the country including in North Eastern Region (NER) are as under:-
1. Budgetary  Support  for  Flood  Moderation/Storage  Hydro  Electric  Projects (HEPs)
2.  Budgetary Support for cost of Enabling Infrastructure for the construction of roads/bridges. The scheme has been widened to include the cost incurred for the  construction  of: (i) transmission  line  from  power  house  to  the  nearest pooling  point  including  upgradation  of  pooling  substation  of  State  /Central Transmission  Utility (ii) ropeways (iii) railway  siding,  and (iv) communication infrastructure.  The  strengthening  of  existing  roads  /  bridges  leading  to  the project is also eligible for central assistance under this scheme.
3.  Scheme of Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to fund the equity portion of the State Governments of NER for development of Hydro Electric Projects, capped at  24%  of  the  total  project  equity  subject  to  a  maximum  of  ₹750  crore  per project  with  provision  to  revisit  the  limit  of  ₹750  crores  on  a  case-to-case basis.

………..2.

- (b): The  details  of  Central  assistance  being  provided  for  the  development  of hydropower in the North Eastern States are as under:
- i. The Government of India has approved a grant of ₹6159.40 crore for Flood Moderation component of Dibang MPP (2880 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh. An amount  of  ₹109  crores  has  been  reimbursed  towards  Flood  Moderation works of the project till date.
- ii. The Government of India has approved the scheme of Budgetary Support for cost of Enabling Infrastructure for HEPs including Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) in the country with a total outlay of ₹12,461 crores for the period of FY  2024-25  to  FY  2031-32.  Grant  of  ₹556.15  crore  for  Dibang  MPP  (2880 MW), ₹77.37 crore for Tato-I HEP (186 MW) and ₹127.28 crore for Heo HEP (240  MW)  located  in  NE  Region  has  been  approved  against  Enabling Infrastructure.
- iii. The  Government  of  India  has  approved  the  scheme  of  CFA  to  fund  the equity  participation  by  the  State  Governments  of  NE  Region  with  a  total financial outlay of ₹4136 crores for the period of FY 2024-25 to FY 2031-32. An amount of ₹120.43 crore for Tato-I (186 MW) and ₹130.43 crore for Heo (240 MW) HEPs has been approved as CFA under the scheme.
- iv. An amount of ₹164.70 crore has been released against earmarked amount of ₹ 188.24 crore towards cost of Downstream protection works in respect of Subansiri Lower HEP (2000 MW).
- (c) :   The hydro projects are capital  intensive  and  require  higher  upfront  costs resulting in higher tariff. With the budgetary support through the above schemes, it  is  envisaged  to  ease  the  investment  burden  of  the  developer.  Further,  these measures  are  also  envisaged  to  bring  huge  investment  in  the  NE  Region  and provide large number of direct employment opportunities to the local population along with indirect employment / entrepreneurial opportunities in sectors such as transportation, tourism, small-scale business and the increased  economic activities leading to increase in GDP of NER in future.

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