UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet approves Investment Proposal for construction of 1720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project in Kamle, Kra Daadi & Kurung Kumey Districts of Arunachal Pradesh with an outlay of Rs.26,069.50 crore

Q1. The Kamala Hydro Electric Project is described as a 'storage-based' hydroelectric scheme, which is central to its stated flood-moderation role. In this context, a storage-based (as opposed to run-of-river) hydro scheme is one that:

  • A. impounds water behind a dam in a reservoir so that releases can be regulated, allowing both firm/peak generation and moderation of downstream flooding
  • B. generates power solely from the natural flow of the river without any significant impoundment, keeping the discharge nearly equal to the inflow at all times
  • C. pumps water back to an upper reservoir during off-peak hours using surplus grid electricity for reuse during peak demand
  • D. diverts a portion of the river through a canal to a downstream powerhouse without constructing any dam across the main channel

Q2. The 1720 MW installed capacity of the Kamala Hydro Electric Project is made up of a configuration of 8 x 210 MW plus 1 x 40 MW machines. How many generating units in total will the project have?

  • A. 9
  • B. 8
  • C. 10
  • D. 6

Q3. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared both the Kamala HEP and the Kalai-II HEP in Arunachal Pradesh. With reference to these two approvals, consider the following: 1. Kamala HEP is located in the Kamle, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts. 2. Kalai-II HEP is located in Anjaw district on the Lohit river. 3. Kalai-II HEP has been sanctioned a larger investment outlay than Kamala HEP. 4. Kalai-II HEP is the first hydro project sanctioned in the Lohit basin. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Kamala HEP is located in the Kamle, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts.
  2. Kalai-II HEP is located in Anjaw district on the Lohit river.
  3. Kalai-II HEP has been sanctioned a larger investment outlay than Kamala HEP.
  4. Kalai-II HEP is the first hydro project sanctioned in the Lohit basin.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q4. Comparing the two hydro projects cleared by the CCEA — Kamala HEP and Kalai-II HEP — consider the following statements: 1. Kamala HEP has a higher installed capacity than Kalai-II HEP. 2. Kalai-II HEP has a shorter estimated completion period than Kamala HEP. 3. Both projects will be implemented as joint ventures with NHPC Limited as the central PSU partner. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Kamala HEP has a higher installed capacity than Kalai-II HEP.
  2. Kalai-II HEP has a shorter estimated completion period than Kamala HEP.
  3. Both projects will be implemented as joint ventures with NHPC Limited as the central PSU partner.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the river geography associated with the recent Arunachal hydro approvals, consider the following statements: 1. The Kamala river is a tributary of the Subansiri river. 2. The Subansiri is a tributary of the Brahmaputra. 3. The Kalai-II project is located on the Lohit river. 4. The Lohit is a tributary of the Subansiri river. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Kamala river is a tributary of the Subansiri river.
  2. The Subansiri is a tributary of the Brahmaputra.
  3. The Kalai-II project is located on the Lohit river.
  4. The Lohit is a tributary of the Subansiri river.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Among the following NHPC-developed hydroelectric projects in the Arunachal Pradesh–Assam (Brahmaputra basin) region, which one has the largest installed capacity?

  • A. Etalin Hydroelectric Project
  • B. Dibang Multipurpose Project
  • C. Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project
  • D. Kamala Hydro Electric Project

Q7. The reclassification of large hydro power projects (above 25 MW) as 'renewable energy' sources — a status now claimed for projects like Kamala HEP — was approved by the Union Cabinet in which year?

  • A. 2019
  • B. 2008
  • C. 2016
  • D. 2022

Q8. Prior to the 2019 Cabinet measures, only 'small' hydro qualified as a renewable energy source. What was the maximum installed capacity a hydro project could have and still be counted as renewable energy under that earlier classification?

  • A. 25 MW
  • B. 10 MW
  • C. 50 MW
  • D. 100 MW

Q9. The revival of Arunachal Pradesh's long-stalled hydro projects — by handing them to central hydro PSUs such as NHPC, NEEPCO and SJVN — is being driven under which Union Ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Power
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • D. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

Q10. In the 2023 revival push, how many long-stalled hydro projects of Arunachal Pradesh (of more than 11.5 GW cumulative capacity) were handed over to central hydro PSUs under the Ministry of Power?

  • A. 12
  • B. 5
  • C. 10
  • D. 13

Q11. With reference to flood moderation and storage-based hydro projects, consider the following statements: 1. A storage-based project can regulate river flow to provide flood moderation, unlike a typical run-of-river project. 2. The Government of India will extend Rs.4,743.98 crore as budgetary support towards the flood-moderation component of Kamala HEP. 3. Kamala HEP is expected to provide flood-moderation benefit in the Brahmaputra valley. 4. Dedicated budgetary support for the flood-moderation component of storage hydro projects was among the measures approved by the Cabinet in 2019. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. A storage-based project can regulate river flow to provide flood moderation, unlike a typical run-of-river project.
  2. The Government of India will extend Rs.4,743.98 crore as budgetary support towards the flood-moderation component of Kamala HEP.
  3. Kamala HEP is expected to provide flood-moderation benefit in the Brahmaputra valley.
  4. Dedicated budgetary support for the flood-moderation component of storage hydro projects was among the measures approved by the Cabinet in 2019.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. With reference to the central public sector undertakings and their role in Arunachal Pradesh's hydro projects, consider the following statements: 1. Kamala HEP is being implemented as a joint venture with NHPC Limited. 2. Kalai-II HEP is being implemented as a joint venture with THDC India Limited. 3. In the August 2023 handover, SJVN received the projects with the largest cumulative capacity (about 5,097 MW). 4. THDC India Limited was among the PSUs that received the stalled projects in the August 2023 Arunachal handover. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Kamala HEP is being implemented as a joint venture with NHPC Limited.
  2. Kalai-II HEP is being implemented as a joint venture with THDC India Limited.
  3. In the August 2023 handover, SJVN received the projects with the largest cumulative capacity (about 5,097 MW).
  4. THDC India Limited was among the PSUs that received the stalled projects in the August 2023 Arunachal handover.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4