Construction of hydroelectric project in Kullu resume

KULLU - National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has resumed work on the second stage of the ambitious hydroelectric power project in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu valley.

The construction at the Parbati Hydro Electric Project, which would generate 800 megawatts (MW) of energy, was delayed due to frequent blasting at the tunnel-boring site, resulting in leakage of mountain water.

The work on the Head Race Tunnel (HRT) was halted after an engineering failure, in which the Tunnel Boring Machine got submerged in silt and water.

Work has now been resumed on the second stage of the project in the valley.

J K Sharma, Director of Projects, NHPC said: ” We are in a better position to carrying out the project now. We are also planting more trees and making arrangement for fisheries. So we are implementing the entire environment management plan, and we get the support of the entire state for that,” said J K Sharma, Director of Projects, NHPC.

Sharma also said that the NHPC has plans to generate 5,322 MW of hydro-power under the 11th Five year Plan for which 11 projects are under construction.

“This is the first time that 11 projects of the NHPC are running simultaneously. Normally, two or three, or maximum four projects would run at a time. At this time, 11 projects are under construction in various states,” Sharma said.

The NHPC is a Government of India enterprise set up in 1975 to provide and develop hydroelectric power in India. (ANI)