Uttaranchal Highlight - Tehri Dam

The Tehri Dam on India’s Bhagirathi River, the main tributary of the Ganges, is one of the world's largest and most controversial hydroelectric projects. Under construction since 1978, the final phase of reservoir filling is scheduled to start by December 2002. Within six months the homes and lands of around 100,000 people would be submerged. Power production is planned to begin in August 2003.

More Photos of Tehri Dam

Tehri is located 200 miles north east of Delhi, in the state of Uttaranchal. With a height of 260 meters (855 feet), the dam will be the fifth tallest in the world. Its reservoir will completely submerge Tehri Town and 40 villages, and partially submerge 72 villages.

The two lower tunnels of the dam were closed in December 2001 submerging the main bridge leading to Tehri town and nearby areas. The last two tunnels, which are at a higher level, are scheduled to be closed by December 2002. This will result in complete submergence of Tehri Town and surrounding villages.

Timeline for Tehri Dam:

• Tehri Development Project approved in 1972
• Construction started 1978
• Cofferdam completed 1996
• Closure of last two tunnels December 2002
• Projected completion August 2003

Projected benefits:

• Final installed capacity of 2000 MW
  (only Phase I with installed capacity of 1000 MW has been approved)
• Additional irrigation to 270,000 hectares
• Stabilization to existing irrigation on 600,000 hectares
• 270 million gallons of drinking water per day to Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi
  “This is a dam built with our tears” —Sunderlal Bahuguna

Tehri Development Project also includes the 97 meter high Koteshwar Dam, under construction 14 miles down- stream of Tehri Dam. The 400 MW Koteshwar Dam will either completely or partially submerge 16 villages.

Tehri Dam Photos »