20 Feb 2008
BS reported that Uttarakhand can now hope to get rid of its acute power crisis as 304 MW Maneri Bhali phase II hydel project in Uttarkashi district is starting production. After months of dithering, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited has finally managed to produce 56 MW of power from the project. Significantly, this is the first time that UJVNL has started producing power in the state since its inception in 2001.
Comprising four units of 76 MW each, the project is having a 16 kilometer long diversion tunnel for which a barrage has also been built. The civil work of the project has been carried out by the Uttarakhand irrigation department. For the construction of the project, UJVNL took a loan of INR 1,200 crore from the Power Finance Commission.
UJVNL officials said that due to less flow in the Bhagirathi river, they are operating only one turbine with 76 MW. They added that “As the water level in the river increases, we will be able to generate more power.”
Maneri Bhali project was scheduled to be commissioned on November 9th 2007 coinciding with the Uttarakhand formation day. But due to some technical and rehabilitation problems, the commissioning date was postponed for an indefinite period.
News Source: http://steelguru.com
RELATED NEWS