Centre's green panel gives nod to Dulhasti hydel power project on Chenab River

The approval of the Dulhasti hydel power project on the Chenab River by the Centre's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for hydel projects marks a significant step in India's ongoing efforts to bolster its energy security and expand its renewable energy portfolio. This run-of-the-river project, estimated to cost over ₹3,200 crore, received clearance during the EAC's 45th meeting, paving the way for construction tenders. This development is crucial for competitive exam aspirants as it touches upon critical aspects of India's energy policy, environmental governance, and regional development.

**Background Context and What Happened:** India, a rapidly developing economy, faces an ever-increasing demand for energy. While coal has traditionally been the backbone of its power sector, the nation is committed to transitioning towards cleaner energy sources to combat climate change and reduce its carbon footprint. Hydropower, being a clean and renewable source, plays a vital role in this transition. The Himalayan region, with its numerous perennial rivers, offers immense hydropower potential. The Chenab River, one of the major rivers of the Indus system, flows through this region, making it a prime location for such projects. The Dulhasti project, specifically, is a "run-of-the-river" scheme. This design minimizes the environmental impact associated with large reservoirs, as it diverts a portion of the river's flow through tunnels to power turbines and then returns it to the river downstream, without significant impoundment. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), responsible for scrutinizing projects for their environmental impact and granting or rejecting environmental clearances based on detailed Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).

**Key Stakeholders Involved:** Several entities are critically involved in this project. The primary implementing agency is likely the **National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)**, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power, which has a track record of executing large-scale hydropower projects. The **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)**, through its EAC, is the regulatory body ensuring environmental compliance. The **Ministry of Power** provides overall policy direction for energy generation. **Local communities** in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, where the project is located, are significant stakeholders, as they will be directly impacted by land acquisition, displacement (if any), employment opportunities, and changes to their immediate environment. The **Union Territory Administration of Jammu and Kashmir** also plays a crucial role in facilitating land acquisition, law and order, and ensuring regional development benefits. Furthermore, **Pakistan** is an indirect but important stakeholder due to the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), which governs the sharing of waters of the Indus River system.

**Significance for India:** The Dulhasti project holds multi-faceted significance for India. Economically, it contributes to **energy security** by adding clean power to the national grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and stabilizing grid operations. It also promotes **regional development** in the often-underdeveloped Himalayan regions by creating employment opportunities during construction and operation, improving infrastructure, and generating revenue for the local administration. Strategically, developing infrastructure, particularly in border regions like Jammu and Kashmir, reinforces India's presence and commitment to the region's progress. Environmentally, as a run-of-the-river project, it aligns with India's **renewable energy targets** and commitment to climate action, contributing to its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) under the Paris Agreement. However, it also highlights the constant balancing act between development needs and environmental protection.

**Historical Context and Constitutional Provisions:** The Chenab River is one of the three 'Western Rivers' (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) whose waters are allocated to Pakistan for unrestricted use under the **Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960**. However, the treaty permits India to construct "run-of-the-river" hydroelectric projects on these rivers, provided they do not significantly impede the flow of water to Pakistan. India has historically utilized this provision, with projects like the existing Dulhasti-I. This new approval builds upon that framework. From a constitutional perspective, **Article 246** and the **Seventh Schedule** are relevant. While 'Water' is primarily a State subject (List II, Entry 17), 'regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys' falls under the Union List (List I, Entry 56). 'Electricity' is a Concurrent subject (List III, Entry 38), allowing both the Centre and states to legislate. Environmental clearances are mandated under the **Environment (Protection) Act, 1986**, and specifically governed by the **Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006**, which outlines the process for obtaining environmental clearance for various developmental projects.

**Future Implications:** The approval of the Dulhasti project signals a continued push by the Indian government towards harnessing its vast hydropower potential, especially in the Himalayan states. This could lead to more such projects being proposed and cleared, further strengthening India's renewable energy mix. It also underscores the critical role of environmental regulatory bodies like the EAC in ensuring sustainable development. The successful and timely completion of this project could serve as a model for future run-of-the-river projects, demonstrating that infrastructure development can proceed with due consideration for environmental factors. However, ongoing monitoring of environmental and social impacts will be crucial. Furthermore, India's continued development of its 'Western Rivers' under the IWT framework will always be watched closely by Pakistan, necessitating careful adherence to treaty provisions to avoid potential disputes, although run-of-the-river projects are generally less contentious.