On the basis of minutes of meetings held by Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change’s (MoEF) Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydropower Projects from January 12, 2022 to November 30, 2022; we present region wise details of various Dams, Hydroelectric Power (HEP), Pumped Storage Hydro Projects (PSHP) and Irrigation Projects proposals considered and approved for Terms of Reference (TOR) and Environment Clearance (EC) by the EAC. It also lists out various water projects related proposals seeking Forest Clearances (FC) from and decisions by the Forest Appraisal Committee (FAC) of MoEF in this period.
SANDRP’s 2020 and 2021 overviews on the subject can be seen by clicking the links. You may also like to visit our 2022 overviews on (1) Dam induced floods & damages, (2) Fly ash dam breach incidents, (3) Impact of floods on Polavaram project, (4) People’s resistance against dams and hydro projects, (5) Disasters and accidents at HEPs sites, (6) Dam Safety Issues, (7) Hydro projects opposition and accidents in South Asia.
EAC Decisions: NORTH INDIA
| SN | Project Name Cap. (in Mw) | Developer | District/ State | River/ Basin | Meeting Date | Proposal | Decision |
| 1 | Sach Khas HEP 288 Mw | SJVNL | Chamba/ HP | Chenab/ Indus | 12 Jan. 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 2 | Renukaji Dam Project,40 Mw | HPPCL | Sirmour/ Himachal Pradesh | Giri/ Yamuna | 08 April 2022 | For ToR | More Info. Sought |
| 29 July 2022 | For ToR | Application Withdrawn | |||||
| 3 | Shongtong-Karcham HEP 402 Mw | Shongtong Karchham HEP, HPPCL | Kinnaur/ Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej/ Indus | 12 Aug. 2022 | Amendment in EC | PP absent, Deferred to next meeting |
| 30 Nov. 2022 | Extension of Validity of EC, including for enhanced capacity to 450 Mw | EAC sub-committee to visit the site. Decision Deferred | |||||
| 4 | Dugar HEP 500 Mw | NHPC Ltd | Chamba/ Himachal Pradesh | Chenab/ Indus | 29 Aug. 2022 | For EC | Approved |
| 5 | Kishau Multipurpose Project 660 Mw | Kishau Corp Ltd | Sirmaur/ HP Dehradun/ Uttarakhand | Tons/ Yamuna | 15 June 2022 | For ToR | More Info. Sought |
| 6 | Phata Byung HEP 76Mw | Lanco Mandakini Hydro Energy Pvt Ltd | Rudraprayag/ Uttarakhand | Mandakini/ Alaknanda | 14 March 2022 | Extension of Validity of EC | Not Accepted. PP may apply for fresh EC |
| 7 | Sirkari-Bhyol Rupsiabagar HEP 168 Mw | UJVN Ltd. | Pithoragarh/ Uttarakhand | Goriganga/ Mahakali | 29 Aug. 2022 | Reconsidera-tion of grant of EC | Site visit by a sub-committee |
In North region, EAC considered 7 HEP projects in the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh (04) and Uttarakhand (2), while one project Kishau dam project is interstate project. Of the 7 proposals EAC approved EC for 500 Mw Dugar HEP during Aug. 29, 2022 meeting. It has also approved ToR for 288 Mw Such Khas HEP on March 14, 2022. Both these projects are on Chenab river in Himachal Pradesh. The ToR application for Renuka dam project has been withdrawn on July 29, 2022.
NORTH EAST & EAST INDIA
| SN | Project Name Cap. (in Mw) | Developer | District / State | River Basin | Meet. Date | Proposal | Decision |
| 1 | Khuitam HEP 66 Mw | Adi-shankar Power Pvt Ltd | Dirang Circle/ West Kameng | Gang river, a tributary of Bichom/ Kameng | 12 Jan. 2022 | Extension of validity of EC dated 28 Jan 2011. Work not started. No PPA (even now). EC can be extended by 3 years. | Approved |
| 2 | Oju HEP 1878 Mw | Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corp Pvt Ltd | Upper Subansiri/ Arunachal Pradesh | Subansiri/ Brahma-putra | 29 July 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 3 | CIA & CCS of Tirap Basin. Inclusion of Chinglum HEP in Subansiri Basin | Arunachal Pradesh | Tirap/ Subansiri | 29 July 2022 | Recommendation of the Study | More Info. Sought | |
| 4 | Teesta Low Dam – I & II (Combined) HEP 71 Mw (2×30+1×11) | WB Electricity Distribution Company Ltd | Darjeeling/ W Bengal | Teesta/ Brahma-putra | 22 Feb 2022 | For ToR | EAC sub com to do site visit |
| 01 July 2022 | For ToR | Deferred as site visit report not yet submitted | |||||
| 29 July 2022 | Site Visit Report | Project NOT suitable and not recommended for TOR | |||||
| 12 Aug. 2022 | Not recommended for ToR | ||||||
| 5 | CIA & CCS of Teesta River Basin Study | W Bengal State Electricity Distribution Compny Ltd | West Bengal | Teesta | 15 Nov. 2022 | For acceptance of study report | To be considered in next meeting |
| 30 Nov. 2022 | For acceptance of study report | Approved | |||||
| 6 | Basin Wise Reassessment of Hydroelectric Potential | 12 Aug. 2022 | Submission of draft report of West Flowing Rivers Basin | Comments provided on Env aspects | |||
| 7 | Review meeting for proposal of Three Tier Monitoring Mechanism | 12 Aug. 2022 | Comments Given | ||||
| 8 | CHIREC PSHP 75 Mw | Venika Green Power Pvt Ltd | Surajpur/ Chhattisgarh | Rihand | 11 Oct. 2022 | For ToR | PP Absent |
In North East & East India the EAC considered 8 proposals of which 3 were from Arunachal Pradesh, 2 from West Bengal and 1 from Chhattisgarh states. Of all the proposals, EAC approved the extension of EC validity for 66 Mw Khuitam HEP on 12 Jan. 2022 and ToR for 1878 Mw Oju HEP on July 29, 2022. Both projects are in Arunachal Pradesh.
The EC to Khuitam HEP granted on Jan. 28, 2011 was valid for 10 years and expendable for 3 years. So far the PP could neither start the work nor could sign Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
In West Bengal, the EAC accepted study proposal for Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) & Carrying Capacity Study (CCS) of Teesta River Basin in W Bengal on Nov. 30, 2022. While considering CIA & CCS of Tirap Basin, inclusion of Chinglum HEP in Subansiri Basin (Arunachal) on July 29, 2022, the EAC sought more information.
WEST INDIA
| SN | Project Name Cap. (in Mw) | Developer | District/ State | River Basin | Meet. Date | Proposal | Decision |
| 1 | Gond Major Irrigation Project | MP WRD | Singrauli/ MP | Gopad/ Sone | 12 Jan. 2022 | Reconsidera-tion of EC | PP Absent |
| 2 | Chinki Boras Barrage Combined Multipurpose Project 50 Mw | Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Sagar Project | Raisen, Hoshangabad, Narsimhapur/ MP | Narmada | 28 Jan. 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 3 | Banda Major Irrigation Project | MP WRD | Sagar/ MP | Banda/ Betwa | 28 Jan. 2022 | For EC | Approved |
| 4 | Lower Orr Dam project under Ken-Betwa Link Project Ph II | NWDA | Ashoknagar/ MP | Orr/ Yamuna | 14 March 2022 | For EC | More Info. Sought |
| 31 May 2022 | For EC | EAC sub-committee to conduct site visit, | |||||
| 5 | Kopra Medium Irrigation Project | Sagar/ MP | Kopra/ Ken | 09 May 2022 | For ToR | More Info Sought | |
| 15 June 2022 | For ToR | PP Absent | |||||
| 6 | Kurha Vadhoda Islampur LIS | Tapi Irrigation Dev. Corp. Jalgaon | Jalgaon/ Maharashtra | Purna/ Godavari | 14 March 2022 | For ToR | Site visit by EAC sub com is required |
| 29 July 2022 | Site visit report for ToR | Approved | |||||
| 12 Aug. 2022 | Site visit report | ToR already approved | |||||
| 7 | Brahmagavhan LIS III | Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Department Corp | Aurangabad/ Maharashtra | Godavari | 08 April 2022 | For EC | More Info. Sought |
| 8 | Bhavali PSHP 1500 MW | JSW Energy PSP Two Ltd | Thane/ Maharashtra | Bham/ Godavari | 09 May 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 9 | Patgaon PSHP 2100 MW | Adani Green Energy Ltd | Kolhapur & Sindhudurg/ Maharashtra | Vedganga/ Krishna | 29 Aug. 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 10 | Tarali PSHP 1500 MW | Adani Green Energy Ltd | Satara/ Maharashtra | Tarali/ Krishna | 14 Sept. 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 11 | Conventional barrage | Surat Municipal Corp | Surat/ Gujarat | Tapi | 14 March 2022 | For ToR | Not under EIA notification |
| 12 | Sukhpura Standalone PSHP 5040 Mw | Greenko Energies Pvt Ltd | Chittorgarh/ Rajasthan | Chambal/ Yamuna | 01 July 2022 | For Amendments in ToR | Approved |
| 13 | Rana Pratap Sagar Off-Stream Closed Loop PSHP 1200 Mw | Semaliya Energy Pvt Ltd | Chittorgarh/ Rajasthan | Chambal/ Yamuna | 29 July 2022 | For TOR | Approved |
| 14 | Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari (Kadva/Dev) intrastate link project | NWDA | Thane, Mah | Damanganga, Vaitarna, Godavari | Nov 15, 2022 | For ToR | PP withdrawn |
In West zone, the EAC considered 14 proposals concerning Dam (1), Barrage (1) Irrigation (3), Lift Irrigation (2), Multipurpose (1), River Linking (1), PSHPs (5) from Maharashtra (7), Madhya Pradesh (4), Rajasthan (2) and Gujarat (1) states of which 4 were considered for ECs including reconsideration and remaining 9 were for ToR including amendments.
Of all considered proposals EC was approved for one Bandra Irrigation project in M.P. and ToR were approved for 7 proposals which includes Chinki Borras Barrage project in MP and Kurha Vadhoda Islampur Lift Irrigation Scheme (LIS) in Maharashtra. The remaining 5 proposals approved for ToR were for PSHPs 3 in Maharashtra and 2 in Rajasthan.
Notably, the EAC on May 31, 2022 decided to constitute a sub-committee to carry out site visit of Lower Orr Dam project under Ken-Betwa Link Project Ph II in Ashoknagar M.P. and mentioned in the minute that MoEF&CC would “initiate necessary action under EP Act, 1986 in view of the start of construction work without obtaining the EC”.
It is worth mentioning that, EAC last year had found the Kurha Vadhoda Islampur LIS completing 60-70% construction activity without prior EC had returned the proposal. The site visit report for ToR of the project was approved on July 29, 2022.
SOUTH INDIA
| SN | Project Name Capacity (in Mw) | Developer | District/ State | River Basin | Meet. Date | Proposal | Decision |
| 1 | Sitamma Sagar Multi-Purpose Project 320 Mw | Irrigation and CAD dept | Bhadradri Kothagudem/ Telangana | Godavari | 28 Jan. 2022 | For ToR | More Info. Sought |
| 31 May 2022 | For ToR | Approved | |||||
| 2 | Channaka-Korata (Rudha) barrage | Irrigation & CAD Dept | Adilabad/ Telangana | Penganga/ Godavari | 08 April 2022 | For EC | PP Absent |
| 31 May 2022 | For EC | Approved | |||||
| 3 | Re-engineering of Indiramma Flood Canal project | Baddam Raji Reddy Vs Union of India before the NGT | Siddipeta/ Telangana | Godavari | 15 June 2022 | Change the scope of flood flow canal & Gouravelli reservoir by increasing the capacity of canals & reservoir from 1.41 to 8.23 TMC | Asked to submit the proposal for a fresh ToR under violation category |
| 4 | Greenko TS02 Off-Stream Closed Loop PSHP | WB State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd | Adilabad/ Telangana | Godavari | 29 July 2022 | For ToR | Withdrew Application |
| 5 | Palamuru Rangareddy LIS (Ph II: Irrigation) | Mahbubnagr Rangareddy & Nalgonda/ Telangana | Krishna | 14 Sept. 2022 | For EC | Deferred as project involves violations, need clearances & other issues | |
| 6 | Ranapur Off-Stream Closed Loop PSHP 1200Mw | Sri Siddharth Infratech & Services Pvt Ltd | Nirmal, Adilabad/ Telangana | Swarna/ Godavari | 11 Oct. 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 7 | Somasila PSHP 900 Mw | New and Renewable Energy Development Corp | Kadapa/ Andhra Pradesh | Pennar | 09 May 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 8 | Veeraballi PSHP 2720 Mw | Astha Green Energy Ventures India Pvt. Ltd | Kadapa/ Andhra Pradesh | Mandavi | 29 July 2022 | Amendments in ToR | Approved |
| 9 | Vijayanagar PSHP 2×65 Mw | JSW Renewable Energy | Vijayanagar/ Karnataka | Tunga-bhadra | 08 April 2022 | For ToR | Approved |
| 10 | Saundatti Integrated Renewable Energy with PSHP 1200 Mw | M/s Greenko Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd | Belgaum/ Karnataka | Ghat-prabha/ Krishna | 29 July 2022 | Reconsideration of EC | Approved |
| 11 | Idukki HEP 780 Mw | KSEBL | Idukki/ Kerala | Periyar | 08 April 2022 | For ToR | PP Absent |
| 31 May 2022 | For ToR | Approved | |||||
| 12 | Expansion of Hydro Project from capacity 4X115 MW to 6X115 MW at Lower Sileru Hydro Power House and improvement of power canal works | APGENCO | Alluri Sitaram Raju, AP | Sileru river, tributary of Sabari river in Godavarai basin | 15 Nov 2022 | EC | More Info sought |
In South Region, the EAC considered 11 proposals from Telangana (6), Andhra Pradesh (2), Karnataka (2) and Kerala (1) states constituting 6 PSHPs, 1 Multi-Purpose Project (Sitamma Sagar, Telangana for ToR on May 31, 2022), 1 Barrage project (Channaka-Korata, Telangana for EC on May 31, 2022), 1 LIS (Palamuru Rangareddy-II, Telangana for EC on Sept. 14, 2022), 1 HEP (Idduki in Kerala for ToR on May 31, 2022).
Of all considered proposals 7 were for ToR of which 6 were approved while application for 1 Greenko TS02 Off-Stream Closed Loop PSHP in Adilabad/ Telangana was withdrawn.
Out of 3 proposals considered for ECs, 2 were approved including Channaka Korata barrage in Adilabad, Telangana and 1200 Mw Saundatti Integrated Renewable Energy with PSHP in Belagum, Karnataka; the EAC on Sept. 14, 2022 deferred the EC for Palamuru Rangareddy LIS Ph-II in Telangana mentioning that the project involves violations and faces clearances and other related issues.
Importantly, following the NGT case on re-engineering of Indiramma Flood Canal project in Siddipeta, Telangana which has changed the scope of flood flow and Gouravelli reservoir by increasing the capacity of canals and reservoir from 1.410 TMCs to 8.23 TMCs, the EAC on June 15, 2022 asked the PP to submit the proposal for fresh ToR under violation category.
Summary Form January 12, 2022 to November 30, 2022, the EAC had 16 meetings (two more meetings were held in Dec 2022, whose minutes are not yet out. Once they are out, the decisions in the same will be included here) and considered 41 proposals of which 7 were from North, 3 from North East, 5 from East, 14 from West and 12 from South regions comprised of 9 HEPs, 1 HEP expansion, 4 Multi-purpose dams, 1 Dam, 1 Barrage, 3 Irrigation, 3 Lift Irrigation projects, 1 river link and 12 PSHPs. Out of remaining 6 proposals considered 4 were regarding studies and 2 regarding violations.
During this period, out of the total 41 proposals considered by the EAC, 13 were for EC including extension and reconsideration while 22 proposals were for ToR including amendment of which EC were approved for 5 projects while ToR was approved for 17 proposals.
The EC given to two HEP proposals by EAC are located in Himachal Pradesh (1) and Arunachal Pradesh (1). Interestingly, EAC considered 12 PSHPs (1 for EC and 11 for ToR) in 2022, of which it approved 11 proposals (1 for EC and 10 for ToR).
The date wise link of EAC meetings’ minutes can be seen in table below.
Forest Clearance The details of various projects including hydro, dam and irrigation considered by FAC for forest clearances in 2022 is given below.
| SN | Project Capacity (in Mw) | Developer | District/ State | River Basin | Date | Proposal | Decision |
| 1 | Standalone Pumped Storage Component of Saundatti Integrated Renewable Energy Project | Greenko Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd. | Belagavi/ Karnataka | Ghat-prabha | 27 Jan. 2022 | Diversion of 160.4 ha. of forest land in Karlakatti-Chakrageri-Kagihal Villages, Savadatti Taluk | Info. Sought |
| 31 March 2022 | More Info. Sought | ||||||
| 13 June 2022 | Approved | ||||||
| 2 | Etalin HEP 3097 Mw | EHEP Company Ltd | Dibang Valley/ Arunachal Pradesh | 11 May 2022 | Diversion of 1165.66 ha (including 91.331 ha underground area) of forest land | Committee constituted to examine the content of representations made against the proposal | |
| 09 Dec. 2022 | Deferred for discussion in next meeting | ||||||
| 3 | Sarkula Medium Lift Irrigation Project | MP WRD | Shivpuri/ MP | 11 May 2022 | Diversion of 126.42 ha forest land | Approved | |
| 4 | Majhagaon Medium Irrigation Project | MP WRD | Panna/ MP | 15 July 2022 | Diversion of 426.763 ha of forest land | Some conditions of Stage I FC changed | |
| 5 | Construction of Ash dyke and water reservoir | NTPC Ltd. | Chatra/ Jharkhand | 07 Nov. 2022 | Proposal for non-forestry use of 10.24 ha of forest land | Declined |
The FAC has held 11 meetings from Jan. 27, 2022 to Dec. 09, 2022 and considered 5 proposals pertaining to diversion of forest lands for hydro, dam and irrigation projects in 7 meetings. During this period the FAC has approved 2 proposals, declined approval on 1 proposal, deferred 1 proposal while changed Stage 1 FC for one proposal. The links and details of 7 relevant FAC’s meetings in 2022 can be seen in table below.
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
SANDRP 