Srinagar, Jan 21: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Forests, Environment & Climate Change has held that the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the 850-MW Ratle hydroelectric project is valid until December 11, 2030, and can be extended for up to two more years.
The Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL), a joint venture of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited and the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited, had submitted a proposal for extension of the EC validity for the project.
Documents in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that the proposal came up for discussion before the EAC on January 09, 2026.
As per the record note of the meeting, the EAC observed that the EC for the project was granted on December 12, 2012, and was originally valid until December 11, 2022.
Citing the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Forests, Environment & Climate Change on January 18, 2021, the EAC noted that the period from April 01, 2020 to March 31, 2021 was excluded from EC validity due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Later, through another notification issued on April 12, 2022, the Ministry fixed the validity of EC for river Valley projects at 13 years, with a possible extension of up to two years.
The Ministry, through an Office Memorandum dated October 30, 2025 clarified that if a project was halted due to proceedings before the NCLT or Courts, that period would be treated as “zero period,” provided documentary proof was submitted.
According to the record note of the meeting, RHPCL submitted documentary evidence showing that the project was halted for four years.
“The EAC inquired about the necessary documentary evidence, wherein it was justified that the project was halted for four years. The Project Proponent, vide email dated 10.01.2026, provided the requisite documents. Therefore, the EAC opined that four years shall be considered as zero period in calculating the validity of the EC,” the documents state.
The EAC held that the EC granted to the Ratle Hydroelectric Project on December 12, 2012 is valid until December 11, 2030, and further extendable by a maximum of two years. (KNO)
