EAC Decisions In the table below, we have given details of the proposals discussed and cleared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change’s (MoEF) Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydropower Projects from Dec. 22, 2020 to Dec. 23, 2021.
| SN | Project Name Capacity (in MW) | Developer | District State | River Basin | Date of EAC meeting | Proposal | Decision |
| NORTH INDIA | |||||||
| Himachal | Pradesh | ||||||
| 1 | Sunni HEP (Luhri Stage-III) 382 MW | SJVNL | Shimla, Mandi Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 30 Dec. 2020 | For EC Amendment | Approved |
| 2 | Dugar HEP 499 MW | NHPC | Chamba, Himachal Pradesh | Chenab Indus | 20 Jan. 2021 | For ToR Amendment | Approved |
| 3 | Luhri-I HEP 210 MW | SJVNL | Shimla, Mandi Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 07 Feb. 2021 | Amendment in EC | Approved |
| 4 | Reoli Dugli HEP 430 MW | SJVNL | Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh | At Darhi Nala & Reoli Nala confluence with Chenab | 07 Feb. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 5 | Bardang HEP 175 MW | SJVNL | Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh | Miyar Nallah Chenab | 07 Feb. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 6 | Purthi HEP 232 MW | SJVNL | Chamba, Himachal Pradesh | Chenab | 07 Feb 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 7 | Expansion of Tidong-I HEP-II 150 MW (Ph-I -100 + Ph-II -50) | Tidong Power Generation P Ltd | Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh | Tidong Sutlej | 01 March 2021 | For EC | More Info Sought |
| 15 April 2021 | More Info Sought | ||||||
| 25 May 2021 | For EC reconsideration | Deferred for more info | |||||
| 16 June 2021 | Approved | ||||||
| 8 | Dhaulasidh 66 MW | SJVNL | Hamirpur, Kangra Himachal Pradesh | Beas Sutlej | 25 March 2021 | For Amendment in EC | Approved |
| 9 | Gyspa Hydro Power Project 300 MW | HPPCL | Lahaul- Spiti Himachal Pradesh | Bhaga Indus | 25 March 2021 | For Reconsideration ToR | More Info Sought |
| 10 | Kutehr 240 MW | JSW Energy Ltd. | Chamba Himachal Pradesh | Ravi Sutlej | 06 May 2021 | For Amendment/ Extension in EC | Approved |
| 11 | Karcham Wangtoo HEP Capacity Enhance-ment From 1000 MW to 1091 MW | JSW Hydro Energy Ltd | Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 06 May 2021 | For Amendment in EC | More Info Sought |
| Uttarakhand | |||||||
| 12 | Sirkari Bhyol Rupsia-bagar HEP 120 MW | UJVNL | Pithorgarh Uttarakhand | Gauriganga Sarda | 07 Feb. 2021 | For EC | More info sought |
| 15 April 2021 | More info sought | ||||||
| 13 | Vishnugad-Pipalkoti HEP 444 MW | THDC | Chamoli Uttarakhand | Alaknanda | 27 July 2021 | For EC | Approved |
| Jammu & | Kashmir | ||||||
| 14 | Ujh Multi-purpose HEP 196 MW | JKSPDC | Kathua J&K | Ujh Ravi | 30 Dec. 2020 | For EC | More info Sought yet APPROVED |
| 07 Sept. 2021 | Amendment in EC | More info Sought | |||||
| 15 | Kirthai Stage-I HEP 390 MW | JKSPDC | Kishtwar J&K | Chenab Indus | 15 April 2021 | For EC | Approved |
| 16 | Kirthai Stage-II HEP 930 MW | JKSPDC | Kishtwar J&K | Chenab Indus | 15 April 2021 | For EC | Approved |
| 17 | Uri-I Stage-II 240 MW | NHPC | Baramulla J&K | Jhelum Indus | 15 April 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 18 | Dulhasti II 260 MW | NHPC | Kishtwar J&K | Chenab Indus | 16 June 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| Uttar | Pradesh | ||||||
| 19 | Ramapur Gurar Pumped Storage HEP 3000 MW | Greenko Energies Pvt Ltd | Sonbhadra Uttar Pradesh | NA | 14 Dec. 2021 | For ToR | Withdrawn by PP due to mistakes in Form 1 |
| 20 | Off-Stream Closed Loop Pumped Storage Project 3000 MW | Greenko Energies Pvt Ltd | Sonbhadra Uttar Pradesh | 14 Dec. 2021 | For ToR | Approved | |
| NORTH EAST | |||||||
| Arunachal | Pradesh | ||||||
| 21 | Anjaw HEP 270 MW | Lohit Urja P Ltd | Anjaw Arunachal Pradesh | Lohit Brahmaputra | 01 March 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 22 | Niare HEP 870 MW | Andhra Power Private Limited | Upper Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh | Subansiri Brahmaputra | 25 March 2021 | For ToR | Info Sought |
| 06 May 2021 | Reconsideration of ToR | Approved | |||||
| 23 | Naba HEP 1070 MW | Naba Power Pvt. Ltd. | Upper Subansiri Arunachal Pradesh | Subansiri Brahmaputra | 25 May 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 24 | Tawang-I HEP 600 MW | NHPC | Tawang Arunachal Pradesh | Tawangchu Manas | 16 June 2021 | Extension of Validity of EC | Approved |
| 07 Sept. 2021 | EC Validity Extended upto 09 June 2024 | ||||||
| 25 | Tawang-II HEP 800 MW | NHPC | Tawang Arunachal Pradesh | Tawangchu Manas | 16 June 2021 | Extension of Validity of EC | Approved |
| 07 Sept. 2021 | EC Validity Extended upto 09 June 2024 | ||||||
| 26 | Cumulative Impact Assessment & Carrying Capacity Study of Tirap Basin. Inclusion of Chinglum HEP | Arunachal Pradesh | Subansiri | 18 Oct. 2021 | Recommen-dation for Study | More Info. Sought | |
| Sikkim | |||||||
| 27 | Rongnichu HEP 115 MW | Madhya Bharat Power Corp Ltd | Gangtok Sikkim | Rongnichu Teesta | 30 Dec 2020 | For EC | Approved |
| EAST INDIA | |||||||
| West | Bengal | ||||||
| 28 | Teesta Intermediate HEP 90 MW (2×30+2×15) | WBSEDC | Kalimpong West Bengal | Teesta | 07 Feb. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 29 | Teesta Low Dam – I & II (Combined) HEP 71 MW (2×30+1×11) | WBSEDC | Darjeeling West Bengal | Teesta | 27 July 2021 | For ToR | More Info. Sought |
| 15 Nov. 2021 | More Info. Sought | ||||||
| 30 | Bahalpur Pumped Storage HEP 1380 MW | Greenko Energies Pvt Ltd | Purulia West Bengal | Standalone Project | 14 Dec. 2021 | For ToR | Withdrawn by PP due to mistakes in Form 1 |
| 31 | Off-Stream Closed Loop Pumped Storage Project 1380 MW | Greenko Energies Pvt Ltd | Purulia West Bengal | 14 Dec. 2021 | For ToR | More info sought | |
| 32 | Shaheed Lakhan Nayak SHEP 25 MW | Meenakshi Odisha Power Pvt Ltd | Koraput, Odisha | Kolab (Sabari) Godavari | 25 March 2021 | For EC | More info sought |
| 07 July 2021 | For EC Reconsideration | Approved | |||||
| WEST INDIA | |||||||
| Gujarat | |||||||
| 33 | Ukai Pumped Storage HEP 1600 MW | Greenko Energies Pvt. Ltd. | Tapi Gujarat | Based on Ukai Dam on Tapi | 07 July 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| Maharashtra | |||||||
| 34 | Bhavali Pumped Storage Project 1500 MW | JSW Neo Energy Ltd | Nasik & Thane Maharashtra | 14 Dec. 2021 | For ToR | More Info. Sought | |
| 35 | Kurha Vadhoda Islampur Lift Irrigation Scheme | Tapi Irrigation Development Corp | Jalgaon Maharashtra | Tapi Basin | 01 March 2021 | For ToR | More Info. Sought |
| 07 Sept. 2021 | Proposal returned | ||||||
| Rajasthan | |||||||
| 36 | Parwan Major Multi-purpose Irrigation cum Drinking Water Supply Project | Dept of Water Re-sources | Jhalawar Rajasthan | Parwan Chamabl | 07 July 2021 | For Extension in Validity of EC | Approved |
| 37 | Rana Pratap Sagar Off-Stream Closed Loop Pumped Storage Project 2000 MW | Semaliya Energy Pvt Ltd | Chittorgarh Rajasthan | Chambal Lower Yamuna | 14 Dec. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| Madhya | Pradesh | ||||||
| 38 | Gandhi Sagar Off Stream Pumped Storage Project 1440 MW | Greenko Energies Pvt. Ltd. | Neemuch Madhya Pradesh | Chambal Lower Yamuna | 27 July 2021 | For EC | Approved |
| SOUTH INDIA | |||||||
| Andhra | Pradesh | ||||||
| 39 | Rayala-seema Lift Scheme to supplement 3 TMC per day to SRMC | Kurnool Andhra Pradesh | Krishna River Basin | 07 July 2021 | For Amendment in Existing ECs | More Info. Sought | |
| 40 | Chitravati Pumped Storage HEP 500 MW | NREDCAP | Ananta-puram Andhra Pradesh | Chitravati Pennar | 27 Sept. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 41 | Kurukutti Pumped Storage HEP 1200 MW | NREDCAP | Vizia-nagaram Andhra Pradesh | Stream that joins Boduru Gedda river in Suvarnamukhi (Nagavali) basin | 18 Oct. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 42 | Karrivalasa Pumped Storage HEP 1000 MW | NREDCAP | Vizia-nagaram Andhra Pradesh | Stream that joins Boduru Gedda river in Suvarnamukhi (Nagavali) basin | 18 Oct. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 43 | Somasila Pumped Storage HEP 900 MW | NREDCAP | Kadapa Andhra Pradesh | Based on Somasila Dam on Pennar river | 18 Oct. 2021 | For ToR | More Info. Sought |
| 44 | Gandikota Pumped Storage HEP 1000 MW | NREDCAP | Kadapa Andhra Pradesh | Based on Gandikota Dam on Pennar river | 15 Nov. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 45 | Owk Pumped Storage HEP 800 MW | NREDCAP | Kurnool Andhra Pradesh | Based on Owk dam on Paleru River in Pannar basin | 15 Nov. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 46 | Yerravaram Pumped Storage HEP 1000 MW | NREDCAP | Visakha-patnam Andhra Pradesh | 23 Dec. 2021 | For ToR | Approved | |
| Tamil Nadu | |||||||
| 47 | Kundah Pumped Storage HEP 500 MW (125X4) | TN Generation & Distribution Corp | Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu | Kundah Cauvery | 20 Jan. 2021 | For EC | Approved |
| Karnataka | |||||||
| 48 | Tubachi-Bableshwar Lift Irrigation Scheme | KNNL | Bagalkot Karnataka | Krishna | 20 Jan. 2021 | For ToR | Approved |
| 49 | Basave-shwara Lift Irrigation Scheme | KNNL | Belgaun Karnataka | 25 May 2021 | For EC | Allowed to Withdraw |
EC: Environmental Clearances, ToR: Terms of References; NA: Not Applicable
Summary Form December 20, 2020 to December 23, 2021, the EAC had 17 meetings and considered 49 proposals including 28 Hydropower, 16 Pumped Storage, 4 Lift Irrigation and 1 Irrigation cum drinking water projects. Out of these 49 proposals 20 were considered for EC including extension, amendment and reconsideration while 28 proposals were considered for ToR including amendment and reconsideration.
In this period the EAC approved EC to 16 and ToR to 20 proposals. Of 16 projects granted ECs, 13 are HEP projects of which 5 are in Himachal Pradesh, 3 in J&K, 2 in Arunachal Pradesh and 1 each in Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Odisha.
Shocking decision During June 16, 2021 meeting the EAC took a shocking decision of approving extension to validity of EC to controversial 600 Mw Tawang-I & 800 Mw Tawang-II HEPs for 3 more years despite both projects had well expired valid time frame for the purpose. The minutes say:-
“The EAC during deliberations noted that the proposal is for extension in validity of EC dated 10th June, 2011 since as per EIA Notification, 2006, the period of validity of EC is 10 years and extendable for 3 years in case PP applies within the expiry date of EC. PP has requested for extension in validity of EC as project could not commence due to non-accord of Forest Clearance (Stage-I) by MoEF&CC. Now, since PP has applied the proposal for extension in EC and considering extendable period is 3 years as per EIA Notification, 2006 and its amendments therein, the EC may be extended till 9th June, 2024. PP has submitted an application no. IA/AR/RIV /18462/2013 dated 16th June, 2021 i.e. within its validity period of EC”
How is application on 16th June within the EC period when EC expired on June 10? Moreover, what about the opposition to the project by the people of Tawang and Arunachal Pradesh?
The proposals were considered again on Sept. 07, 2021 meeting and the EAC justified the wrong decision. The minutes read, “Ministry may consider the proposal as recommended for grant of extension in validity of EC dated 10th June, 2021 to Tawang Hydroelectric Project Stage-I of 600 MW by M/s NHPC Ltd. in Jung village, District Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh till 9th June, 2024, under the provisions of EIA Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments/circulars therein subject to following.”
See this report on why both Tawang related decisions (as also some others) are controversial.
Similarly, the EAC on Dec. 30, 2020 granted EC to 196 MW Ujh Multipurpose in Jammu & Kashmir while seeking more information. The project was again considered on Sept. 07, 2021 for amendment in EC regarding which the EAC has sought more information.
The EAC initially had just one agenda item of 1070 Mw Naba HEP in Arunachal Pradesh for ToR consideration for May 25, 2021 however just on the day of meeting, the EAC added 2 more proposals on the agenda for EC consideration including 3rd Unit of 50 Mw (Ph-II) Tidong-I HEP in Himachal Pradesh and Basaveshwara Lift Irrigation Scheme in Karnataka.
Violations Regarding Kurha Vadhoda Islampur Lift Irrigation Scheme the EAC noted that project proponent has started construction activity without prior EC and some of the work has been completed to the extent of about 60-70% which is a case of violation of EIA Notification, 2006 and the Ministry should take action as per the law. The proposal was returned on above lines.
EAC meeting for a single project! Interestingly, for Sept. 27, 2021 the EAC had just one project on its agenda (500 MW Chitravati Pumped Storage HEP in Andhra Pradesh) which is an unprecedented kind of event! Again the EAC had only one agenda item (1200 Mw Yerravaram Pumped Storage HEP in Andhra Pradesh) for ToR consideration for Dec. 23, 2021 meeting.
Links to EAC meetings The details and minutes link of EAC meetings held between Dec. 20, 2020 and Dec. 23, 2021 and been seen below.
Forest Clearance In the table below are the details of hydro, dam, irrigation and drinking projects considered by the MoEF’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) for forest clearances in 2021.
| SN | Project Capacity (in Mw) | Developer | District State | River Basin | Date | Proposal | Decision |
| 1 | Rampur HEP 412 MW | SJVNL | Kullu Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 17 Feb. 2021 | Diversion of 0.8374 ha of additional forest land (in addition to the already diverted 69.3762 and 0.9274 ha) for construction of Road, Bridge, River protection/Training works. This is the THIRD proposal from SJVN for the same project for additional forest land. | Approved |
| 2 | Sunni Dam HEP 382 MW | SJVNL | Shimla, Mandi Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 17 Sept. 2021 | Diversion of 397.8863 ha forest land | More Info. Sought |
| 26 Nov. 2021 | Approved | ||||||
| 3 | Integrated Renewable Energy Project | Greenko Energies Pvt. Ltd. | Kurnool Andhra Pradesh | NA | 23 Dec. 2021 | Diversion of 365.66 Ha (i.e.319.02 Ha for Lower Reservoir + 22.50 Ha for Power House & TRC Outlet + 6.96 Ha for Penstock + 8.02 Ha for Intake Structure + 2.43 Ha for Tail Race Channel and 6.73 Ha for Internal Roads) | Approved |
| 4 | Banda Irrigation project | Water Resources Dept | Sagar Madhya Pradesh | Dhasan Ken | 25 June 2021 | Diversion of 535.85 Ha (in place of 505.5 Ha) of forest land | Approved |
| 5 | Integrated Renewable Energy Project | Greenko Energies Pvt. Ltd. | Kurnool Andhra Pradesh | 23 De. 2021 | Diversion of 365.66 Ha (i.e.319.02 Ha for Lower Reservoir + 22.50 Ha for Power House & TRC Outlet + 6.96 Ha for Penstock + 8.02 Ha for Intake Structure + 2.43 Ha for Tail Race Channel and 6.73 Ha for Internal Roads) of forest land | Approved |
Out of 14 meetings held in 2021, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) considered proposals regarding diversion of forest lands for hydro, dam and irrigation projects in 5 meetings and approved 4 proposals. The meeting dates and minute links are given in table below.
Police Case against SJVN for violation of Forest Act Regarding proposal seeking diversion of 0.8374 ha of additional forest land (in addition to the already diverted 69.3762 and 0.9274 ha) for construction of Road, Bridge, River protection/Training works for 412 Mw Rampur HEP in Himachal Pradesh the minutes mention:-
“The proposed structures have already been constructed on the spot. It has been File No.11-91/2012FC mentioned that the matter with regard to encroachment and raising of permanent structures over forest land has been reported to Police under Section-32, 33 of Indian Forest Act, 1927 by lodging an FIR. At the same time the encroachment case has been prepared and challenged in the Court of Collector Grade-1-cum-Tehsildar Rampur vide Range Officer Rampur letter dated 1-6-2013”.
This is a case of violation of the FC act. FAC RECOMMENDED Approval after noting: “the User Agency shall pay five times of NPV and five times penal CA on double degraded forest land in respect of 0.8374 ha of forest land on which violation of the FC Act has been reported by File No.11-91/2012FC the State Government.”
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
You may also like to see:-
Uttarakhand: Letter to EAC on EC for 120 MW Sirkari Bhyol Rupsiabagar HEP
EAC & FAC Decisions on Hydro Projects during 2020
HEPs overview 2020: Violations, Accidents & Corruption
2021 International Day of Action for Rivers: Opposition against HEPs, dams
SANDRP 