Uttaranchal to take up 416 MW project

The Uttaranchal government will launch construction of the 416 Mw Pala Maneri hydroelectricity project, being built on the river Bhagirathi in the Uttarkashi district at a cost of Rs 2,210 crore.

The run-of-the-river project would have four units of 104 Mw each, which would be the first new project being undertaken by the Uttaranchal Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd, a state government enterprise, officials said.

The project will have a 12.7 km long and 6 meter diameter tunnel of horseshoe shape, they said.

The funds for the construction of the project was being negotiated with the Power Finance Corporation, officials said. "All the civil works of the project will be executed by the UJVNL," said Power Secretary S Krishnan. Last year, the UJVNL took up the construction work of Maneri Bhali phase-II.

Also in the Uttarkashi district. "We are looking forward to become a power-sufficient state, which is necessary for the overall development," Krishnan said.