Itanagar, December 18 (NationPress) In a significant move for the state's energy future, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein conducted a thorough evaluation of both major and minor hydropower initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, officials reported.

An official from the Deputy Chief Minister's Office stated that Mein assessed the status of significant hydropower projects as part of the administration's ongoing mission to revitalize the hydropower sector.

The projects under scrutiny include Tawang I and II, Etalin, Demwe Lower, Naying, Kalai I and II, Hutong, Subansiri Upper, Kamala, and the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.

During the assessment, the Deputy CM closely examined major undertakings such as the Etalin Hydroelectric Project with an output of 3097 MW, the Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project at 1750 MW, and the Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project yielding 1605 MW.

The review also addressed the operationalization of the restructured Department of Hydro Power Development under DHPD 2.0, which aims to enhance institutional frameworks and boost inter-departmental collaboration.

Notably, the Gongri Hydroelectric Project, rated at 144 MW, has emerged as a landmark achievement, becoming the inaugural project to be reinstated under the innovative Arunachal Pradesh Policy for Restoration of Terminated Large Hydropower Projects under Special Circumstances, 2025. The developer, M/s Patel Engineering Limited, has pledged to restore the project within 48 months, targeting commissioning by December 2029.

The Deputy Chief Minister remarked that this initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy by the government to rejuvenate inactive hydropower capacity and ensure prompt, responsible, and sustainable growth across the sector.

He highlighted that these projects reaffirm the government's commitment to policy stability, responsible hydropower development, and long-term energy security for Arunachal Pradesh.

In a related review, the Deputy Chief Minister explored the advancements of hydropower projects managed by the Hydropower Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Limited (HPDCAPL), focusing on both ongoing and proposed small hydro projects throughout the state.

This review encompassed a detailed examination of vital projects, including the Sumbachu Small Hydro Power Project and the Taksang Chu Small Hydro Power Project in Tawang, assessing construction progress, electro-mechanical tasks, interdepartmental coordination, and site-specific obstacles affecting timely delivery.

The current status and preparedness of other small hydro projects assigned to HPDCAPL were also reviewed, along with strategies for accelerating implementation while ensuring environmental sustainability and community involvement.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to fortify HPDCAPL as a principal agency for small hydropower development, promote clean and decentralized energy production, and enhance Arunachal Pradesh’s long-term energy security through responsible hydropower initiatives.