Lok Sabha Question No. 4729 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Sanction of Pumped Storage Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Shri Biplab Kumar Deb, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4729 ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025

## SANCTION OF PUMPED STORAGE PLANTS

†4729.  SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT: SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR: SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB: DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of sanctioned Detailed Project Reports (DPR) along with the approved total installed capacity for Pumped Storage Plants (PSPs);

- (b) whether steps have been taken by the Government to speed up sanction of PSPs;

- (c) if so, the details thereof;

- (d) whether private sector has been included in the preparation and presentation of PSPs;

- (e) if so, the details thereof;

- (f) whether any mechanism has been set up to ensure time bound and efficient implementation of the said projects; and

- (g) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a): Total  12  number  of  Detailed  Project  Reports  (DPRs)  of  Pumped  Storage Projects (PSPs) with aggregate capacity of 15,350 MW have been concurred by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) since 2002-03.

……2/-

- (b) & (c) : The following steps have been taken to expedite the approval of DPR of PSPs: -
- i. CEA has issued revised Guidelines in July 2024 for formulation of DPRs of PSPs by reducing the number of pre-DPR chapters.
- ii. After consultation with the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the requirement for exploratory drifts in underground powerhouses has been eliminated for projects located in the peninsular region, addressing delays typically caused during S&I activities.
- iii. CEA has launched the 'Jal Vidyut DPR' portal for monitoring Survey and Investigation (S&I) activities of HEPs and PSPs. The portal enables real-time tracking of workflows and pending tasks across appraising agencies  and  developers,  helping  to  identify  and  address  delays effectively.
- iv Government of India vide notification dated 01.08.2025 has exempted off-stream  closed-loop  pumped  storage  schemes,  irrespective  of  the quantum of capital expenditure, from the requirement of concurrence by the CEA.
- (d)  &  (e): The  private  sector  has  also  been  involved  in  the  preparation  and submission of DPRs of PSPs. Presently, 30 number of PSPs under private sector with aggregate capacity of 51,100 MW are at S&I stage for preparation of DPRs.
- (f) & (g) : The following measures have been taken by the Government of India to facilitate  the timely completion of hydro power projects including PSPs.
- a. Guidelines to reduce the incidence of time and cost overruns in hydro power projects has been issued on 08.11.2019.
- b. Dispute Avoidance Mechanism through Independent Engineers in construction contracts of CPSEs executing hydro power projects has been introduced on 27.09.2021.
- c. Dispute Resolution through Conciliation Committees of Independent Experts (CCIEs) for contractual disputes in projects implemented by CPSUs/statutory bodies  under  the  administrative  control  of  Ministry  of  Power  has  been introduced on 29.12.2021.

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