Major breakthrough in Sawra-Kuddu hydro project

Shimla

, September 4()

Sawra-Kuddu

hydroelectric project (111 MW) today made a major breakthrough as it linked the two ends of 11.365 kilometres long underground tunnel, from the barrage to the power house. The river project is being constructed on river

Pabbar

, a tributary of Yamuna in Shimla district. The button for the last blast of underground tunnel was pressed by

Devesh Kumar

, MD, H P Power Corporation. The work of the headrace tunnel was initially awarded to Aban coastal joint venture in June, 2007. However, due to dismal performance by the company, the work contract was terminated in January, 2014. The balance works were subsequently awarded to

Hindustan Construction Company

in November 2014. The main bottle neck in the construction of headrace tunnel was the balance excavation, which was around 1,643 meters, mainly because of adverse geological rock conditions encountered during the course of excavation. The tunnel had to be driven through rock strata with high ingress of water along with flowing rock conditions at various locations. This project comprises a diversion barrage on river Pabbar near

Hatkoti

and underground power house on the left bank of river Pabbar near village Snail. The project will generate 386 million units per annum in a 90 per cent dependable year. It has 11.365 km long with 5 m finished diameter headrace tunnel (HRT) and three 37 MW francis turbines (3 X 37 MW). Devesh Kumar said that this project will be completed in stipulated time by January, 2019 in-spite of all adverse conditions. PCL BAL