Subansiri dam project

April 6, 2023

Recently, the contentious Subansiri Lower Dam project was hit by a landslide during pre-monsoon rain in the region.

About the Subansiri Dam project:

  • It is the biggest hydroelectric project undertaken in India so far.
  • It is a run-of-river scheme on river Subansiri.
  • Location: 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).

Key facts about the Subansiri River

  • It originates in the Tibet Plateau and 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.