Lower Arun Hydroelectricity Project, is set to affect 268 families directly. The 669-megawatt (MW) project, located in Sankhuwasabha district, is being developed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, an Indian hydropower company.
According to the draft report titled ‘Lower Arun Hydroelectricity Resettlement and Rehabilitation,’ nearly 65 hectares of local land will be acquired to facilitate the project. The project will also utilize an additional 70 hectares of forest land and six hectares of public land.
Arun Dhiman, Chief Executive Director of Lower Arun Power Development Company, confirmed that approximately Rs 1.40 billion will be allocated as compensation for the affected residents. The developer has already initiated consultations with the local communities regarding the project’s operation and impact.
The Lower Arun project, a tailrace development of the ongoing 900-MW Arun-III hydro project, will reintroduce water into the river system without the need for a reservoir or dam. To accomplish this, a 17.4-kilometre tunnel will be constructed at Chewabesi in Khandbari Municipality-2.
Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam is concurrently developing both the Lower Arun and Arun-III hydro projects.