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DIMAPUR — After two unsuccessful attempts, the Nagaland Power department is making another push to revive the long-delayed 186 MW Dikhu Hydro Electric Power (DHEP) project.
The department has called for a stakeholders meeting on Monday (July 29) in Dimapur, inviting the Phom Students’ Conference, the Konyak Students’ Union, and the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang.
The ambitious hydropower project, located on the Dikhu River, has faced numerous hurdles, primarily related to land acquisition issues, for almost two decades. Despite efforts to jumpstart the project, progress remains stalled.
Objections from Nyang and Kangching villages in Longleng district, concerning approximately 189.68 hectares (9.42% of the project’s total area) and 197.11 hectares (9.79%) of land, respectively, were cited as the main roadblocks.
In a recent letter to the three student bodies, the Power department highlighted that the project, one of the state’s largest infrastructure proposals, involves land spanning Longleng, Mon, and Mokokchung districts. It specifically mentioned that land acquisition has been “held up due to some unwilling villages under Longleng district for a long time”.
Furthermore, it said that the “Techno Economic Clearance (TEC) of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, without which no project can be developed, will be expiring in March 2025”.
The department went on to emphasise that the 186 MW Dikhu HEP would usher in rapid socio-economic development in the three districts, boost industrialisation across the state and support all-round development in education, health, communication and many other socio-economic sectors.
It may be noted that the 186 MW Dikhu Hydro Electric Project is a joint venture between Manu Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd. (MES), holding a 76% stake, and the Nagaland government, with a 24% stake. The government's share of the project funding will be arranged by MES in exchange for 12% of the free power generated.
Previously, the Power Department attempted to convene a meeting with various stakeholders, including student unions and business associations, on May 25, 2024, in Dimapur. However, that meeting was postponed due to “unforeseen prior engagement”.