Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project

Why is in news? Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project Achieves Construction of Dam till Top Level

In a significant milestone towards completion of the 2,000 Mega Watt Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project located in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and being executed by NHPC Limited, the construction of dam till the top level of Elevation Level (EL) 210 M has been completed in all blocks on June 29, 2023. [Elevation level here means height with respect to mean sea level.]

NHPC has informed that more than 90% of the total work of the project has already been completed. The construction of all major components, including Dam, Power House and Hydromechanical Works is fast progressing towards completion.

Subansiri Dam project:

It is the biggest hydroelectric project undertaken in India so far.

It is a run-off-river scheme on river Subansiri.

A run-off-river dam is one in which the flow of water in the river downstream of the dam is the same as the flow of water upstream of the dam. In other words, the dam doesn't hold back/store water behind it; it runs with the river.

The Project is located near North Lakhimpur on the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Capacity: 2000MW

It is a concrete gravity dam 116 m high from river bed level.

It is being developed by the state-run National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC).

The Subansiri River or Gold River originates in the Tibet Plateau and and makes its way to India via (Miri Hills) Arunachal Pradesh.

It is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra River.

The high topographic variation makes this river a potential zone for harnessing it for the hydropower

What is a Gravity dam?

Gravity dams are massive structure dams which are constructed of concrete or stone masonry.

This type of structure is durable and requires very little maintenance.