What is Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP)?

About Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP):

• It is an under-construction gravity dam on the Subansiri River in north-eastern India on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with a capacity of 2000 MW (8x250 MW).
• It will be the single largest hydroelectric plant in India when completed and is a run-of-river project.
• The project is being developed by the state-run National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC).

Key Facts about Subansiri River:

• It is a trans-Himalayan River, and a right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
• Also called the Gold River, the Subansiri River is famous for its gold dust.
• It flows through Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
• It originates from the Himalayas in China and flows towards the east and southeast into India, where it joins the River Brahmaputra. 
• It joins the Brahmaputra River in the Lakhimpur district of Assam.
• It is approx. 518 km long, with a drainage basin of 32,640 square km (12,600 sq. mi).
• It is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra, contributing 7.92% of the Brahmaputra's total flow.
• The high topographic variation makes this river a potential zone for harnessing it for the hydropower.

Q1: Which are the main tributaries of Brahmaputra?

The principal tributaries of the river joining from right are the Lohit, the Dibang, the Subansiri, the Jiabharali, the Dhansiri, the Manas, the Torsa, the Sankosh and the Teesta whereas the Burhidihing, the Desang, the Dikhow, the Dhansiri and the Kopili joins it from left.

Source: 6000 Indian major carp released in Subansiri River to strengthen fisheries management