Arunachal Pradesh will witness a golden era once its hydel potential is exploited to make it the country's powerhouse, according to Raghunath Prasad Singh, General Manager (E) of the 405 MW Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP). He said the state was presently earning Rs 30 crore from the 12 per cent free share it received from RHEP which was the largest of its kind in the North-Eastern region.

Once the targets are achieved, the state's coffers will be enriched by Rs. 1,875 crore annually, he added. RHEP Deputy General Manager (E/M) M S Jyrwa supported Mr. Singh saying that power held the key to the development of the region considering its peculiar topography. About the hue and cry being raised by conservationists, Mr. Singh said conservation had to be compromised to some extent for development. Moreover, afforestation programmes compensate such losses while precautions against possible earthquake are inbuilt in the design, he informed. Pointing out that besides economic development, such projects give a new thrust to the socio-economic development by way of construction of roads, schools and hospitals, he said big dams minimise the impact of floods, a chronic problem of this region. 

More projects would bring more development and generate direct and indirect employment avenues for the people, he added. The 135 MWX3 RHEP, commissioned in 2002 by the North-Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,500 crore, meets 75 to 80 per cent grid requirement of the State besides 40 per cent of its peak hour power requirement.

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