Tehri corp eyes Dhauliganga projects

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 7

Tehri Hydro Development Corporation has expressed interest in construction of the four proposed hydropower projects over Dhauliganga river in Pithoragarh district of Kumaon division. The corporation has also suggested entering into a joint venture with the Government of Uttarakhand in this regard. 

Chairman and Managing Director of Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Limited D V Singh told The Tribune, “We recently met Uttarakhand Chief Minister and put forward our proposal towards allotting all the four proposed hydropower projects on Dhauliganga river in Pithoragarh to THDC and hope for a favourable response.” 

DV Singh said the allotment of all the four projects would help ensure optimum utilisation of water resources and development of the entire river basin.

All the four projects are proposed to be built on Dhauliganga river, which is a tributary of Kali river in Pithoragarh district. DV Singh claimed that THDC was ready to invest Rs 10,000 crore in the project.

He said that a joint venture was in the best interest of both the THDC and the state government. “We must not forget that THDC is the sole company dealing with hydropower and nearly 70 per cent of its staff belongs to Uttarakhand”, he said. 

Referring to 330 MW Bokang Bailing hydro project proposed to be constructed by THDC India Limited, DV Singh said that as the project had already been allotted to THDC, the work on detailed project report was in progress and the report was expected to the ready by year end. The other three projects are with Reliance, National Hydro Power Corporation and Uttarakhand Jal Vidhyut Nigam Limited. 

He also asserted that the Tehri reservoir was of immense importance due to its flood moderation capacity. He said that the reservoir-based projects were excellent for retaining water and cater to the country’s challenge of water security. He recalled how the Tehri Dam helped retain excess water from Bhagirathi river during 2013 rain disaster in the Garhwal hills. He said the Centre was now interested in developing reservoir-based projects in the country.

Utilisation of water resources

• The allotment of all  four projects will help ensure optimum utilisation of water resources and development of the entire river basin
• The projects are proposed to be built on Dhauliganga river, which is a tributary of Kali river in Pithoragarh district