Sawra Kuddu project to start power generation by April

S & agency

Shimla, February 21

After running seven years behind schedule, the first unit of 111 MW Sawra Kuddu Hydroelectric Project in Shimla district will start generating power by April, Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) said on Thursday.

It will be the most expensive project to date in Himachal as one megawatt will cost Rs 14.41 crore. The cost of per megawatt in other projects is pegged at Rs 10 crore.

The cost of the project has been revised to Rs 1,600 crore, director, civil, HPCL, DS Thakur said. The project would generate 386 million units that would earn a revenue of Rs115 crore per annum, he added.

As per the detailed project report of 2005, the project was estimated to cost Rs 558 crore. But the tender was delayed by two years, Thakur said.

The HPCL attributed the cost overrun to increase in land award, delays due to unexplained geological surprises and in the construction of head race tunnel. Tunnel contractor was changed that delayed the work by two years, Thakur claimed.

The HPCL had failed to address the grievances of villagers of Thana. They had moved the National Green Tribunal seeking relief for drying up water sources and cracks in houses, said Govind Chatranta, a villager.

The process of filling headrace tunnel will start shortly, Thakur said. He said the execution of the project started in June 2007. The main bottleneck in its construction was excavation of 11.365 km headrace tunnel owing to adverse geological rock conditions.

Besides tough rock strata, high ingress of water along with flowing rock conditions at various locations had to be tackled cautiously with high engineering proficiency.

The work of the barrage was awarded to Patel Construction Company and headrace tunnel was initially awarded to Aban Coastal joint venture in June 2007.

Later, the barrage construction was carried out by Hindustan Construction Company Ltd in November 2014.

The project comprises a diversion barrage on the Pabbar river near Hatkoti and underground powerhouse on the left bank of the river near Snail village.

After commissioning the project, each project affected family will be provided 100 units of electricity per month free for 10 years. In addition, 1 per cent of the revenue from power generation will be contributed to the local area development during the operation stage.