HPCL sets Dec 2018 deadline for Sawra-Kuddu project

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 18

Marred by delays and CAG audit for cost overruns, the cost of the 111-MW Sawra-Kuddu power project on the Pabbar in the Jubbal valley has shot up more than 28 per cent as the project is running almost five years behind schedule. The HPCL has set December 2018 as the deadline to commission the project.

Talking to The Tribune, HPCL Managing Director Devesh Kumar, who inspected the project on Tuesday, said, “We are facing weak strata in the 362-m-long tunnel stretch under excavation, which will be complete by September. After this, the lining work of the tunnel will start. Power house and barrage works are complete and we hope to start the project by December 2018”.

However, project affected people of the Thana area led by their coordinator Govind Chatranta said they would make a fresh plea before the MD as the project had affected the ecology and apple orchards of the area and damaged houses. “The issues are not fully settled even as the National Green Tribunal has directed the HPCL to asses and pay damages to Thana villagers within 90 days and plug the 424-m-long additional tunnel with concrete after the Sawra-Kuddu project is complete,” he added.

Devesh said he was not apprised about this issue with Thana villagers, adding he would discuss and sort it out.

The project is running five years behind the schedule as the corporation faced delays. The 1,600-m length of the 11.36-km-long head race tunnel of the project had remained unconstructed as the HPCL rescinded the tunnel work from its first contractor in 2014. As a result, the cost of the project had shot up by about 28 per cent from about Rs 900 crore in 2007, when the project was awarded to the HPCL, to Rs 1,100 crore now, revealed insiders.

Running 5 years behind schedule

• The 111-MW power project is coming up at Pabbar in the Jubbal valley.
• The project is running five years behind the schedule.
• As a result, the cost of the project had shot up by about 28 per cent from about Rs 900 crore in 2007, when the project was awarded to the HPCL, to Rs 1,100 crore now.