In a landmark development for India’s geothermal research, scientists have commenced the pumping test of Northeast India’s first geothermal production well at Dirang in West Kameng district. The initiative marks a major step toward exploring clean and renewable energy sources in the Eastern Himalayas.

The testing is being carried out by a team from the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) under the leadership of its Director, Tana Tage. 

The effort is receiving expert supervision from Dr. Rajinder Bhasin, a Geotechnical Engineer from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, along with a geothermal exploration specialist from Geotropy, Iceland.

This critical testing phase is designed to assess the sustainability and productivity of the underground geothermal reservoir. The data obtained will be instrumental in determining the feasibility of various Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) applications, including building heating and cooling systems, wellness and water tourism ventures such as hot spring spas, and agro-processing utilities like drying fruits, meat, and other local produce.

Officials noted that the successful completion of the pumping test would represent a transformative milestone for the region, paving the way for sustainable, renewable, and locally tailored energy solutions across Arunachal Pradesh and the broader Eastern Himalayan region.