NTPC seeks GoM's help for expeditious grant of forest clearance for Kolodyne-II HEP

State-run NTPC has sought the help of the Government of Mizoram (GoM) in expediting the forestry clearance for the former's

Kolodyne-II hydro-electric project (HEP) as the 460 MW project lies on the border of the Lawngtlai and Saiha districts, which are under the

control of autonomous councils.
8Alongside this, the power utility has been pursuing the state government for recommendations and onward submission of the stage-I clearance

application to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
8Earlier, the developer had encountered the problem of unavailability of land records for the diversion of 6,400 ha area of forest land

identified for the project. To resolve this issue, the district forest officer (DFO), Lunglei, has submitted the forest land details to the

conservator of forests.
8However, the proposals of the Lawngtlai and Saiha districts are yet to be forwarded from the respective DFOs to the concerned authority. With

regard to the environmental clearance, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) is yet to take a decision although the proposal has been discussed

during the previous held meetings.
8It may be noted that the storage project is scheduled to be completed by October 2012, over a period of 68 months from the zero date. The 460

MW HEP is located near Kolodyne river, situated on the border of the Lawngtlai and Saiha districts near Sihtlangpui in the state of Mizoram. In

a 90% dependable year, with 95% machine availability, the annual energy design from the project will be around 1,808 MU, at a load factor of

45.71%.