Arunachal restarts land survey for 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydro project

Itanagar: Anjaw district officials in Arunachal Pradesh restart land acquisition surveys for the 1,200 MW Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project on November 16. The team needs to document properties missed during a previous assessment that started after a June 19, 2026, order. Surveyors will work the stretch from Samdul village through the proposed submergence area to the Chunyu Bridge Point in the Hawai circle.

Deputy Commissioner Millo Kojin issued the order to finalize the project land needs. The state government adjusted the acquisition scope in January 2026, dropping the target from 869.35 hectares to 631.274 hectares of private and community land. Police will escort the survey team to ensure the work proceeds. The Superintendent of Police and THDC India Limited must coordinate to support the ground operations.

Landowners and families hit by the project must be present during the visits. Village headmen and panchayat leaders from all 33 affected villages have strict orders to assist the team. The move follows persistent friction regarding the site. Back in 2025, the North East Human Rights organisation alleged "discrepancies in the project's EIA report" and raised alarms about the initial assessment process. Officials now expect full cooperation from locals to wrap up the count.