The Kameng Hydro Electric Power Project in West Kameng district is a run-off water scheme that will directly utilise the water flow from the Bichom and Tenga rivers to generate 600MW of electricity. The project is being undertaken by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO). The total cost was initially estimated at Rs 2,496 crore but was later revised to Rs 8458.94 crore.

The project stretches over 80 kilometers and includes two dams and a powerhouse with 4 units of 150 MW each. The project is said to contribute to the nation's hydro capacity addition and help make Arunachal Pradesh a power-surplus state. It is intended to form part of the projected hydro capacity addition of 30000 MW by 2030.

According to a memorandum submitted to the chief minister on 26 November 2019, by the Aka Elite Society (AES), people in five villages - Bichom, Buragaon, Kimi, Khuppi and Yayung - comprising more than 500 families, have lost their agricultural lands to the project site and to the Power House Complex “without any compensation”. This, the AES claims, is on the “pretext” of the land falling under reserve forest. The memorandum states that the land has been “under the possession of our ancestors since time immemorial”.

In lieu of money, the members of the Hrusso Aka and Bugun communities, the dominant tribes in the affected villages, had put forth two demands to NEEPCO: good road connectivity from Pinjoli village to Bichom (92 kilometres) and Grade C and D jobs under the Union government. Neither demand has been fulfilled till date.

When LCW spoke to the project-affected persons (PAPs), they said they did not oppose the project in the hope of better road connectivity, education and healthcare, as promised by NEEPCO officials. “We were promised good roads long ago. We do not have any issue with heavily loaded trucks transporting material for the project, but it has made our roads non-motorable. Who will take responsibility? Neither the state nor the NEEPCO officials are responding,” a resident of Buragaon told LCW.

The memorandum claimed that every time the PAPs asserted their demand for jobs, NEEPCO responded by saying that the Ministry of Power and the Supreme Court had “banned” recruitment.

The foundation stone of the project was laid in 2002. In the past 18 years, there have been multiple rounds of dialogue between the PAPs and both NEEPCO and state offcials, but the primary demands of the people for roads and jobs have remained unfulfilled, even though NEEPCO did build rehabilitation and resettlement colonies.

The AES has been leading negotiations and protests and raising awareness about the promises made by NEEPCO and their right to fair compensation.

On February 10, 2020, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, which has been tasked with operating the turbine, officially started operations of two units of 4x150 megawatt of the hydroelectric project. It is reported to be the largest unit rating (150 megawatt) for hydropower generating sets in the state. Not only were the units launched amidst ongoing protests but the PAPs also did not know about its operations.

In January 2021, the plant was fully commissioned with the commissioning of its third unit, after units 2 and 3 were commissioned in June and July 2020.

On 19 November 2024, PM Modi launched the 600 MW Kameng hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district.

The Kameng hydroelectric project has been found to have a significant impact on the villages downstream of the Bichom River in Arunachal Pradesh. Despite being a 600 MW project, it has dramatically reduced the once powerful river to a mere stream. Residents downstream have reported a sharp decline in aquatic life, with fish nearly disappearing due to the drastically reduced flow of the Bichom River. Furthermore, the project has resulted in severe water scarcity in the region, directly affecting agricultural and horticultural activities and causing financial strain on the local population. The KaHEP Downstream People's Affected Forum (KDPAF) has urged government intervention and has also approached NEEPCO to address the issue. The villagers are seeking compensation for their losses through KDPAF and have advised NEEPCO to ensure the continuous flow of the Bichom River.

It's important to note that approval was granted for the diversion of [710 hectares of forest land](https://neepco.co.in/sites/default/files/4. KaHEP.pdf) for non-forestry purposes for the construction of the project. The total cost of compensatory afforestation (CA), if any afforestation, is estimated at Rs 640.88 lakh.