Decks cleared for first phase of Tehri

Decks have been cleared for the commissioning of the first phase of Asia's highest dam, Tehri.

A clearance in this regard came from the Union ministry of environment and forests for the closure of the last T-2 tunnel, which was necessary for operationalising the first 1000 Mw phase of the controversial 2400 Mw Tehri project, built with a cost of Rs 6000 crore on the Bhagirathi river at the old Tehri town.

"Necessary clearance from the ministry has been accorded," Tehri District Magistrate Punit Kansal said.

The dam authorities are now considering the question of the commission of the first phase of the controversial 2400 Mw project, which depends on the closure of T-2 tunnel, which in turn, is mandatory to fill the 45-km long reservoir.

The cost of the dam is being shared in the 75:25 equity proportion by the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government.

However, top officials of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC), the implementing agency of the hydel project, remained skeptical about the commissioning date. They have expressed hope that the T-2 tunnel would be closed by the end of September-October of the current year if everything goes well.

The Uttaranchal government has also asked the THDC authorities to announce the exact date of the commissioning of the first phase of the project, following completion of the majority of the rehabilitation process, official sources said.

According to official reports, all the 5,291 displaced families of the old Tehri town have been rehabilitated and the majority of the 5,429 families in the rural areas have also been compensated.

Chief Minister N D Tiwari has also expressed the desire to commission the first phase of the dam as quickly as possible, as Uttaranchal would get 12 per cent power free of cost from the project.

On the other hand, the construction of the 260.5 metre dam, 840 metres high from the sea level, has also been completed.

The construction of the shaft spillway is the only thing left to be done, which can only take place as and when the T-2 tunnel is closed, THDC officials said.

The commissioning of the first phase of the multi-purpose dam has been repeatedly suffering since the last four years, owing to a number of hindrances, the most crucial of them being the rehabilitation issue.

However, the district administration is claiming nowadays that it has completed the rehabilitation process till 760 metres length.

Initially, the dam authorities would only start the operation of the third and fourth units (250MwX2), though in another three to four months, the first and second units would also be put into operation.