What is the typical process for project appraisal in SAMPADA?

• A. Quick approval without due diligence.
• B. Sole focus on aesthetics of project design, ignoring cost.
• C. Technical and financial due diligence, environmental and social due diligence, viability analysis, and risk assessment.
• D. Only financial metrics with no environmental considerations.

Answer: (C)

Project appraisal in SAMPADA is about a thorough, multi-dimensional check before moving ahead with a project. It combines technical and financial due diligence to verify the feasibility, cost, and returns; environmental and social due diligence to assess impacts, compliance, and community effects; viability analysis to judge demand, location, scalability, and overall sustainability; and a risk assessment to identify potential challenges and mitigation strategies. This comprehensive approach ensures decisions are sound, responsible, and aligned with policy goals, rather than jumping to approvals or overlooking important factors. Quick approval without due diligence misses critical feasibility and compliance checks; focusing only on aesthetics ignores cost and practicality; relying solely on financial metrics ignores environmental and social implications.