Energetica India Magazine January-February 2021

Uttarakhand Avalanche: JPVL Closes 400 MW Vishnuprayag Hydro Electric Project Uttarakhand Flood Hits 13.2MW Rishiganga, 520MW NTPC’s Under-Construction Hydro Projects Jaypee Group’s Jaiprakash Power Ven- ture Ltd (JPVL) has closed its 400 MW Vishnuprayag Hydro Electric Project (VHEP) as a precaution due to flash floods in the Chamoli district of Uttara - khand. In this regard, the company has issued a statement stating that “on 7/2/2021 an unusual event took place in the river ba- sin of Dhauli Ganga in District Chamoli (Uttarakhand) between 9.30 am to 11 am. Unfortunately, a Glacier plunged in Raine village of Dist Chamoli causing riv - er to rise rapidly leading to swollen river level for some time which caused dam - age to life, property and projects falling in direct contact of flow of the river.” JPVL has 400 MW VHEP project with its barrage over Alaknanda river, and proj- ect’s Tail Race Tunnel discharging water in river DhauliGanga. As a responsible corporate operating in Uttarakhand for over 30 years, the com - pany said that “we are saddened by this tragedy caused due to events beyond the control of all and an act of nature.” The company clarified that “sudden de - velopment of the Force Majeure event led to the closure of the power genera - tion.” River water gushed in through the Tail Race Tunnel of the project bringing with it the slush. JPVL further added that “it is analysing all aspects and assessing the time to bring back the project to its pre closure status (operations were stopped at 11 am on 7th Feb due to this tragic Glacier event).” “We remain confident that VHEP will be resuming operations after completing the cleaning / and checking all aspects in a few days,” it added. However, the company also mentioned that it is providing full assistance & as - surance to the District Authorities since 7th Feb in relief operations and will con - tinue to provide all humanitarian aid. The glacial burst in Uttarakhand, which led to the rising of water levels in Rishi - ganga river, had washed away 13.2 MW Rishiganga small hydro project and also damaged part of NTPC’s under-con - struction 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project. While informing about the sad and tragic Uttarakhand disaster, the Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh added that he is con - tinuously monitoring the situation to en - sure quick relief and rescue operations and he is also in constant touch with Uttrakhand’s Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. Speaking about resue operations he said, “while rescue operation is on, we are assessing the ground situation with the help of district administration and police. SDRF, ITBP, and Indian army are carrying out rescue operation. Divers from Indian Navy are also in standby.” He mentioned that the NTPC’s hydro power project which is under construc- tion at Tapovan Vishnugad, is a run of river project with capacity of 4X130 MW. The project is still under construction and all the units were slated to be com - missioned in 2022-23. The contracting agencies whose labours were deployed include Rithwik Projects Pvt Ltd, HCC Ltd and OM Metal Infra Projects Ltd. Power Minister further informed that the extent of damage and casualties is be - ing assessed. Due to Sunday, number of workers working in the NTPC hydro plant were relatively less and this has helped lower the impact of the disaster. Power Minister said that, “I have asked NTPC’s top management to travel to the site of the disaster for better coordination of relief operations. Twelve persons have already been rescued. We are still trying to ascertain the exact number of miss - ing workers from the project site and we are praying that the causalities are not much.” 12 energetica INDIA- Jan-Feb_2021 NEWS HYDROPOWER