The central government has granted environmental clearance to the Oju hydroelectric project located in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district. This paves the way for the construction of one of India's largest hydropower ventures in a strategically important region bordering China.

The Oju hydroelectric project is a 2,220 MW venture to be developed by Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corporation Pvt. Ltd. The project is a run-of-the-river scheme with daily peaking capability. It involves building a 100-metre-high concrete gravity dam, a 14.12 km headrace tunnel, and an underground powerhouse complex. The project is estimated to cost over Rs 24,942 crore and is expected to produce 8,402 million units of electricity annually.

The project site spans 750 hectares and could have significant impact on local tribal communities and ecology. During a public hearing in September 2024, residents raised concerns about inadequate compensation and potential risks to fisheries, ecology, and sacred sites. Many demanded a fair share of the electricity generated be provided to the local population.

Ecologists have expressed concerns that large dams in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem could destabilize slopes, alter riverine ecology, and endanger biodiversity. The Subansiri basin is located in seismic zone V, the most vulnerable category. There are also concerns regarding glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and the potential for peak discharges from upstream glacial lakes to overwhelm dam structures.

To mitigate these risks, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has directed the developer to include GLOF scenarios in the design flood estimates, establish a real-time early warning system, and conduct community preparedness drills. The committee has also mandated a post-commissioning environmental impact study after five years.