The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) released a Master Plan for evacuation of power from hydroelectric projects in the Brahmaputra Basin, targeting 76 GW of capacity (64.9 GW from 208 conventional hydro projects above 25 MW + 11.1 GW from pumped storage plants) by 2047. Total investment is ₹6.4 lakh crore ($77 billion): Phase 1 (up to 2035) at ₹1.91 lakh crore and Phase 2 at ₹4.52 lakh crore. The plan covers 12 sub-basins across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and West Bengal, and envisages 31,397 ckm of new transmission lines. Strategically, it counters China's upstream dam construction on the Yarlung Zangbo (upper Brahmaputra), particularly China's announced 60 GW mega dam project.
India Unveils ₹6.4 Lakh Crore Hydroelectric Transmission Master Plan for Brahmaputra Basin
AQuick answer
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) released a Master Plan for evacuation of power from hydroelectric projects in the Brahmaputra Basin, targeting 76 GW of capacity (64.9 GW from 208 conventional hydro projects above 25 MW + 11.1 GW from pumped storage plants) by 2047. Total investment is ₹6.4 lakh crore ($77 billion): Phase 1 (up to 2035) at ₹1.91 lakh crore and Phase 2 at ₹4.52 lakh crore. The plan covers 12 sub-basins across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and West Bengal, and envisages 31,397 ckm of new transmission lines. Strategically, it counters China's upstream dam construction on the Yarlung Zangbo (upper Brahmaputra), particularly China's announced 60 GW mega dam project.
Key facts
- CEA released a Master Plan targeting 76 GW hydroelectric capacity in the Brahmaputra Basin by 2047.
- Total investment is ₹6.4 lakh crore ($77 billion) across two phases.
- Phase 1 (up to 2035) requires ₹1.91 lakh crore and Phase 2 adds ₹4.52 lakh crore.
- The plan covers 12 sub-basins across eight northeastern and eastern states.
- 31,397 circuit-km of new transmission lines are envisaged under the plan.
- The plan strategically counters China's 60 GW mega dam on the upper Brahmaputra.
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Linked questionMedium
India's CEA Brahmaputra Basin master plan was discussed in the context of upstream dam construction on the Yarlung Zangbo by which country?
Explanation · Correct answer B
China is the relevant country. The Yarlung Zangbo flows into India as the Siang/Brahmaputra, and China's upstream hydropower plans on this river are a major strategic context for India's Brahmaputra basin hydropower and transmission planning. The CEA-linked plan covers hydropower evacuation from multiple Brahmaputra sub-basins in the North-East.
Source: India TV News / Water Power Magazine
Frequently asked questions
Which authority released the Brahmaputra Basin hydroelectric transmission Master Plan and what is its total investment?
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) released the Master Plan for evacuation of power from hydroelectric projects in the Brahmaputra Basin. The total investment is ₹6.4 lakh crore ($77 billion) spread across two phases up to 2047.
What is the total hydroelectric capacity targeted under the Brahmaputra Basin Master Plan by 2047?
The plan targets 76 GW of hydroelectric capacity by 2047, comprising 64.9 GW from 208 conventional hydro projects above 25 MW and 11.1 GW from pumped storage plants. This covers 12 sub-basins across eight northeastern and eastern states.
What are the two phases of the Brahmaputra Basin Master Plan and their respective investments?
Phase 1 (up to 2035) requires an investment of ₹1.91 lakh crore and Phase 2 requires ₹4.52 lakh crore. The plan also envisages laying 31,397 circuit-km of new transmission lines across the region.
How does India's Brahmaputra Basin hydro plan strategically respond to China's dam activities?
The Master Plan strategically counters China's proposed 60 GW mega dam on the upper Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) in Tibet. By developing its own hydroelectric infrastructure first, India aims to strengthen its position on downstream water rights and regional energy security.
Which states are covered under the CEA's Brahmaputra Basin Master Plan?
The plan covers eight northeastern and eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and West Bengal. These states collectively host the 12 sub-basins identified under the Master Plan.
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