Uttarakhand floods: GVK Power, Lanco assessing hydel project damage

V. Rishi Kumar Updated - June 24, 2013 at 09:23 PM.

GVK Power & Infrastructure Ltd and Lanco Infratech Ltd are in the process of assessing the damage to their hydel projects coming up in Uttarakhand.

The recent floods and hostile weather and difficulty in accessing the sites have made the task a tough one for the companies.

While GVK is implementing several hydel projects, one of them Shrinagar hydro electric project of 330 MW is in an advanced stage.

This project is coming up on Alaknanda in Tehri/Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The company has executed most of the civil works and has also developed a 90-metre deep foundation level dam.

Responding to Business Line query on the impact of floods on the project, a GVK official said, “During recent floods, some water entered the power house at the project. Fortunately, there have been no injuries or fatalities. Even as we assess the impact on machinery and equipment, corrective measures, like water evacuation, have already begun.”

“Based on the information available currently, there may be an impact of two to three months on the project. We are, however, confident of making up to minimise the impact on the project and resolve the issue at the earliest,” he stated.

Lanco is developing two hydel projects in Uttarakhand on the Mandakini , a major tributary of Alaknanada. The company is investing about Rs 520 crore on the 76-MW hydel plant.

It is also developing Rambara hydro electric project of another 76 MW.

A senior Lanco official stated that the site is inaccessible due to hostile conditions. Once there is clarity, necessary restoration steps would be initiated.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

Published on June 24, 2013 15:53