Countdown begins for power generation at Tehri

After 17 years and Rs 7,300 crore of investment, the countdown has finally begun for power generation at the Tehri Dam and Hydro Power Plant (TDHPP), India's largest and yet one of the most controversial hydroelectric projects.

The water level at the reservoir is expected to touch the magical 720-metre mark, crucial to start power generation, in March, 2006.

"We are giving final touches to our preparation for the test power generation in March next. The water level in the dam has already touched the 702-metre height. As soon as it gets to the 720-metre mark, we will turn keys for test generation," Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd (THDC) General Manager (project) S K Shukla said.

On Sunday, the lower reach of old Tehri town, which houses a college, a market and residential areas, was submerged and the water level was estimated to be rising by 40 cm per day.

While green activists have been opposing the project citing environmental concerns, rights activists want the displaced people to be properly compensated.

THDC General Manager (civil) AL Shah said construction of the dam, diversion tunnels, under ground galleries, chute spillways, left and right shaft spillways and flooring of the stilling basin were completed.

He said while the electro-mechanical work, which included four transformers in machine and transformer hall and 357 main dam instruments in the dam body, were installed, the pre- commissioning works were in an advanced stage for the 1,000 Mw power generation.

The test generation will be continued till water level touches the 760-metre mark. "We will continue to conduct test generation for three months after March. Commercial generation will only be possible when the water crosses 760-metre mark," the THDC general manager said.

Shukla said the transmission line works from inter face building (outside power house) for power evacuation, for which the Power Grid Corporation was responsible, was almost complete.