State-run power major NHPC Ltd is preparing a major investment proposal of around ₹30,000 crore for the 3,000-megawatt Etalin hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, signaling renewed momentum in the Northeast’s hydro sector.

The project, which had previously been allocated to SJVN Ltd and earlier to private developers, was reassigned to NHPC in November 2025 to expedite its execution. The move reflects the Centre’s strategy to leverage public sector undertakings (PSUs) to revive long-stalled infrastructure projects.

Etalin is designed as a run-of-the-river hydropower project and will feature two concrete gravity dams on the Dri and Tangon rivers, both tributaries of the Dibang river system. The project is located in the Dibang Valley district, a region emerging as a key hydropower hub.

NHPC is already developing the nearby 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project, strengthening its presence in the region and creating potential synergies in infrastructure and execution capabilities.

According to officials, a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between NHPC and the Arunachal Pradesh government is currently under process, while necessary approvals are being pursued to move the project forward.

The development aligns with Arunachal Pradesh’s broader strategy to involve central PSUs in accelerating delayed hydropower projects. It also follows the Union Cabinet’s recent approval of two major hydro projects in the state worth ₹40,000 crore, indicating a strong policy push to unlock the Northeast’s vast hydropower potential.

With large-scale investments and strategic execution, the Etalin project is expected to play a significant role in enhancing India’s renewable energy capacity and regional power infrastructure.