Modi to lay foundation of Dhaula Sidh project

Hamirpur, December 23

Advertisement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of 66 Mega Watt Dhaula Sidh hydel power project on December 27. It is learnt that the PM will lay the foundation through virtual mode while he would come to Mandi on completion of four years of the Jai Ram government in the state.

Significantly, the project would be constructed on Beas river and the work on the approach roads and 253 m long diversion tunnel of 10.20 m diameter has been completed by the executing agency Satluj Jal Vidhut Vikas Nigam Limited (SJVNL).

Dhaula Sidh Hydroelectric Project will be a run-of-the-river power project to harness the hydel potential of the Beas. It will have a storage of 6.87 million cusec meter water to utilize it during lean season. Rajesh Chandel, project head, said here that the main dam would be 69.75 m high and 195.14 m long concrete gravity dam would be constructed with two 62 m long pen stokes of 4.3 m diameter to produce the electric power.

The dam was envisioned during the regime of former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal in 2001. It was after intervention of Union minister Anurag Thakur that the power project was taken on priority. The centre had accorded investment approval for Rs 687.97 crore. This would be first hydel project in the district.

Chandel said over 3,500 kanal out of 4,800 kanal had been acquired and mutated in favour of the SJVN. He said the diversion tunnel had been bored and the internal concrete lining would be completed within a fortnight. The water of the river would be diverted within a month to make way for the construction of main dam. — OC