Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday, June 28, 2026, met with residents of Watong village in Anjaw district, announcing that the local community has given its full consent for the proposed Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project, a 1,200 MW hydropower initiative sanctioned by the Centre. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving what he described as a 'landmark project' for the state's energy future.

Context

CM Khandu held an interaction with community members of Watong village, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Smt Dasanglu Pul and Cabinet Minister Shri Mama Natung. He noted that the people of Watong have 'wholeheartedly welcomed and given their consent' for the project — a critical step in community-based clearance processes for large infrastructure in tribal and ecologically sensitive areas of the Northeast.

The meeting underscores the state government's approach of direct community engagement before advancing major hydropower projects, particularly in remote frontier districts like Anjaw, which borders China and Myanmar.

Policy Backdrop

Arunachal Pradesh holds an estimated hydropower potential of over 50,000 MW, making it one of the most resource-rich states in India for clean energy generation. Despite this, the state has historically seen slow project execution due to complex terrain, environmental scrutiny, and the need for community consent in areas inhabited by indigenous tribal communities.

The Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project at 1,200 MW is a significant addition to the national hydropower pipeline. Its sanction by Prime Minister Modi aligns with the Union government's push to develop Northeast India's hydropower capacity as part of broader energy security and clean energy transition goals. Projects of this scale also carry strategic importance given Anjaw district's location in a sensitive border zone.

Stakeholders and Impact

The residents of Watong village and the wider Anjaw district stand to be the most directly affected. Community consent signals a willingness to engage with project developers on land use, rehabilitation, and local employment — areas that have historically been flashpoints in hydro project disputes across the Northeast.

CM Khandu specifically highlighted that the project 'will significantly contribute to Arunachal Pradesh's growth, energy security and employment opportunities,' indicating that job creation for local youth is a central commitment tied to the project's approval. State ministers Dasanglu Pul and Mama Natung being present at the interaction signals the government's intent to keep senior political leadership involved in community-level consultations.

What's Next

With community consent secured at Watong, the Kalai-II project is expected to move toward subsequent clearance stages, including environmental and forest approvals, detailed project report finalisation, and developer appointment. The pace of these processes will determine when construction activity begins in the ecologically and strategically significant Anjaw corridor.

For Arunachal Pradesh, successful execution of the 1,200 MW Kalai-II project could serve as a template for community-first hydropower development — a model that balances the state's immense energy potential with the rights and aspirations of its indigenous frontier communities.