Whalesbook
NHPC Ltd is finalizing plans for a major infrastructure project: the 3,000-megawatt Etalin Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The estimated investment for this project is ₹30,000 crore. The project, to be built in the Dibang Valley district, will operate as a run-of-the-river facility. This involves constructing two concrete gravity dams on the Dri and Tangon rivers, which are tributaries of the Dibang River.
How the Etalin Project Developed
The Etalin project has a long development history. It was initially given to private developers over 15 years ago but stalled due to lengthy approval processes. Later, the project was transferred to SJVN Ltd before the central government assigned it to NHPC in November 2025 for further development. The Arunachal Pradesh state government gave its initial approval for this transfer in December 2025.
Why Arunachal is Pushing This Project Now
The state government's decision to involve central public sector companies (PSUs) in stalled projects aims to speed up completion and increase national power output. This fits with government efforts to strengthen India's energy network. The move comes shortly after the Cabinet approved two other hydro projects in Arunachal Pradesh, totaling ₹40,000 crore. NHPC is already working in the region on the 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose project in the lower Dibang River.