Humbarli Birmani PSP

Sources disagree

Notes

• EAC × Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) The central committee of experts that recommends ToR and EC for river valley and hydro projects, including PSPs. More in glossary → 52nd meeting (13 Apr 2026, item 52.2) deferred the ToR × Terms of Reference (ToR) The list of studies an EIA must cover, set by the expert committee. Getting a ToR is the first clearance step, not a permission to build. More in glossary → .
• The upper dam and intake at Hatlot fall inside the Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani Eco-Sensitive Zone × Eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) A notified buffer around a sanctuary or national park where some activities are banned or regulated. More in glossary → (S.O. 52(E), 2001), which allows only non-polluting industry; hydel plants over 50 MW are CPCB 'red' category, so the EAC told THDC to get the ESZ monitoring committee's NOC × No-objection certificate (NoC) A letter from another authority saying it does not object, often required before a committee will consider a project. More in glossary → first (applied 18 Feb 2026).
• Lower reservoir 3.3 km from the Sahyadri × Western Ghats / Sahyadri The 1,600 km mountain chain along India's west coast: older than the Himalaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a global biodiversity hotspot. More in glossary → Tiger Reserve × Wildlife sanctuary (WLS) and tiger reserve Protected areas under the Wild Life (Protection) Act. A tiger reserve has an inviolate core and a surrounding buffer. More in glossary → buffer; both villages in the draft Western Ghats ESA × Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) About 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats proposed for protection since 2014; still only a draft, reissued six times. More in glossary → .
• WRD's original 400 MW site was inside the tiger reserve and was dropped. 334.82 ha, 49.50 ha forest; 1,500 MW / 9,255 MWh × MW, MWh and GWh MW is how fast power flows; MWh (or GWh = 1,000 MWh) is how much energy is stored or delivered. More in glossary → ; muck × Muck disposal Rock and soil dug out for tunnels and caverns, dumped on land set aside for it. More in glossary → 78.34 lakh m³.
• MoU × Memorandum of understanding (MoU) A non-binding agreement between the state and a developer to study and build a project at a site, with a water allocation. More in glossary → of 3 Sep 2024 was for 1,000 MW.
• Coordinates are the upper reservoir.
• The Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani ESZ Monitoring Committee took up THDC's NoC request on 15 Apr 2026 and granted it on 6 Jul 2026; the EAC then recommended ToR on 15 Jul 2026 (58th, item 58.5).
• The ToR condition on Stage-I FC × Forest clearance (Stage-I / Stage-II) Central permission to use forest land for a project. Stage-I is in-principle approval with conditions; Stage-II is final approval. More in glossary → in those minutes reads '55.64 ha', which is Savitri's forest figure, not Humbarli's 49.50 ha.

Timeline

1. 15 July 2026 · Clearance Documented #

   EAC recommends ToR for Humbarli Birmani after ESZ NoC

   Details and documents

   With the ESZ committee's NoC in hand, the EAC recommended ToR for THDC's project. Its Stage-I FC condition cites 55.64 haⓘ×Documented“obtaining Stage I FC for 55.64 ha of forest land involved in the project shall be”EAC 58th meeting minutes, 15 Jul 2026 (item 58.5), page312 · 15 July 2026 of forest, Savitri's figure, not Humbarli's 49.50 haⓘ×Documented“related works for project is 334.82 ha out of which Forest area is 49.50 ha and non-forest”EAC 58th meeting minutes, 15 Jul 2026 (item 58.5), page309 · 15 July 2026.

   Humbarli Birmani PSP · EAC 58th meeting minutes, 15 Jul 2026 (item 58.5)

2. 6 July 2026 · Shortcut Documented #

   Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani ESZ committee clears Humbarli Birmani

   Details and documents

   The ESZ Monitoring Committee granted THDC a no-objection certificate for a 1,500 MWⓘ×Documented“construction of the project Humbarli Birmani Off Stream(1500MW) in Village: Hatlot, Taluka:”EAC 58th meeting minutes, 15 Jul 2026 (item 58.5), page311 · 15 July 2026 project whose upper dam lies inside the eco-sensitive zone. The EAC had deferred the ToR in April for want of it.

   Humbarli Birmani PSP · EAC 58th meeting minutes, 15 Jul 2026 (item 58.5)

3. 13 April 2026 · Rejection Documented #

   EAC defers Humbarli Birmani PSP × Pumped storage project (PSP) Two reservoirs at different heights: water is pumped up when power is cheap and released through turbines when power is needed. More in glossary → : upper dam inside Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani ESZ

   Details and documents

   52nd meeting. THDC's 1,500 MWⓘ×Documented“amendment of the MoU for Humbarli Birmani PSP from 1000 MW to 1500 MW is currently”EAC 52nd meeting minutes, 13 Apr 2026 (item 52.2), page10 · 13 April 2026 project (334.82 haⓘ×Documented“ix. Land requirement: Total land requirement of the project is 334.82 ha (Forest: 49.50”EAC 52nd meeting minutes, 13 Apr 2026 (item 52.2), page43 · 13 April 2026, 49.50 haⓘ×Documented“ix. Land requirement: Total land requirement of the project is 334.82 ha (Forest: 49.50”EAC 52nd meeting minutes, 13 Apr 2026 (item 52.2), page43 · 13 April 2026 forest) puts its upper dam inside an eco-sensitive zone that allows only non-polluting industry. The EAC said it was not a fit case for ToR until THDC gets the ESZ monitoring committee's NOC.

   Humbarli Birmani PSP · EAC 52nd meeting minutes, 13 Apr 2026 (item 52.2)