Power Minister reviews progress of implementation of Dulhasti project
The Union Minister of Power, Shri P.M. Sayeed, reviewed the progress of implementation of the languishing 390 MW Dulhasti HEP in Jammu and Kashmir of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) with Secretary (Power), CMD NHPC and other senior officers of the Ministry, here today. The construction of this project which originally commenced in Nov, 1989 has witnessed numerous problems following the abandoning of construction work in 1992 by a French Consortium following the collapse of a tunnel leading to the Tunnel Boring Machine getting buried.
As per the revised commissioning schedule, the date for completion of the project was December, 2003 and has been getting progressively delayed mainly on account of geological problems and law and order issues. The Project is located in Doda District of J&K which has remained under night curfew most of the time. The project is in an advanced stage of completion. The works relating to dam, power house, tail-race tunnel and evacuation arrangements are all completed. The only work to be completed relates to the 10.58 Kms. long head–race tunnel which passes through a major geological fault zone (termed as fossil valley). The excavation of the tunnel has been completed but considerable work by way of lining consisting of steel supports in areas of fault zones, strengthening weak zones and grouting in the tunnel remains. In this also over 80% of work is completed. The remaining work is extremely challenging in view of the high seepage of water in the tunnel through the fault zones.
While appreciating the problems of this difficult Project, the Minister expressed concern over any further delay. The Minister directed that NHPC should take all efforts to complete the project on a war footing and a detailed plan of action must be prepared expeditiously to complete the project. During the Review Meeting it was also decided to strengthen the top level team. A senior officer with considerable experience in construction and commissioning of projects should closely oversee the construction work. Accordingly, Shri S.K. Dodeja, Chief Executive of Narmada Sagar Project, who has commissioned various projects in NHPC as well as NHDC has been deputed with instructions that he must spend at least two weeks in a month at Dulhasti. A few other senior officers are also being posted.
Minister would be talking to the CM of J&K to provide necessary support for maintaining law and order in the project area. J&K Govt. has also been requested to depute a senior officer from the Labour Department to help maintain conducive working environment at the project site.
While concluding, the Minister directed that all efforts should be made to complete the project by 31st March, 2006. An action programme should be drawn up to achieve this challenging goal. Minister also desired that a daily progress report must be sent to the Ministry.
BKS/Mukesh
(Release ID :13393)