India to commence major hydropower project near China border

14 Jun 2023 CW Team

India is on the verge of commencing a massive hydropower project that has been under development for two decades, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy transition.

According to Rajendra Prasad Goyal, the finance director of NHPC, a state-run hydropower company, trial runs for the Subansiri Lower project will begin in July. The project traverses the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the northeastern region of India. The first unit is scheduled to be commissioned in December, while all eight units are expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

Hydropower plays a crucial role in balancing the electricity grid, as it can swiftly respond to fluctuations in power demand, particularly as the intermittent generation of solar and wind power increases. However, the 2-gigawatt project, which was initiated in 2003, faced delays due to protests and legal disputes arising from concerns about environmental damage.

The project's cost surged to Rs 212.5 billion, more than triple the initial estimate. In 2019, the National Green Tribunal allowed the project to resume after an eight-year suspension. Opposition to dam construction has resulted in India harnessing only about one-third of its potential hydropower capacity of 145 gigawatts.

Goyal emphasised the need to obtain approximately 40 approvals from various departments before commencing the construction of a hydropower project. He stated that thorough scrutiny should be conducted at this stage to avoid any interruptions once construction is underway.

Large dams also serve as a means for India to stimulate local economies in regions along its tense borders with China and Pakistan. As the Subansiri project nears completion, NHPC is finalising plans to award construction contracts for the 2.9-gigawatt Dibang project, which is India's largest planned hydropower plant.

To promote hydropower, the government has granted large dams the status of clean energy. This mandates provincial power distributors to prioritise the purchase of hydropower over electricity generated from fossil fuels. In certain cases, the government has agreed to provide budgetary support for civil construction and flood moderation work.

India is on the verge of commencing a massive hydropower project that has been under development for two decades, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy transition. According to Rajendra Prasad Goyal, the finance director of NHPC, a state-run hydropower company, trial runs for the Subansiri Lower project will begin in July. The project traverses the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the northeastern region of India. The first unit is scheduled to be commissioned in December, while all eight units are expected to be operational by the end of 2024. Hydropower plays a crucial role in balancing the electricity grid, as it can swiftly respond to fluctuations in power demand, particularly as the intermittent generation of solar and wind power increases. However, the 2-gigawatt project, which was initiated in 2003, faced delays due to protests and legal disputes arising from concerns about environmental damage. The project's cost surged to Rs 212.5 billion, more than triple the initial estimate. In 2019, the National Green Tribunal allowed the project to resume after an eight-year suspension. Opposition to dam construction has resulted in India harnessing only about one-third of its potential hydropower capacity of 145 gigawatts. Goyal emphasised the need to obtain approximately 40 approvals from various departments before commencing the construction of a hydropower project. He stated that thorough scrutiny should be conducted at this stage to avoid any interruptions once construction is underway. Large dams also serve as a means for India to stimulate local economies in regions along its tense borders with China and Pakistan. As the Subansiri project nears completion, NHPC is finalising plans to award construction contracts for the 2.9-gigawatt Dibang project, which is India's largest planned hydropower plant. To promote hydropower, the government has granted large dams the status of clean energy. This mandates provincial power distributors to prioritise the purchase of hydropower over electricity generated from fossil fuels. In certain cases, the government has agreed to provide budgetary support for civil construction and flood moderation work.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..