The resumption of power generation at hydroelectric plant in Champawat’s Tanakpur/ Banbasa area is likely to be delayed as repair works being carried out at Tanakpur barrage on the Sharda River have been disrupted due to bad weather conditions. Power generation had been stopped following the damage of Tanakpur barrage by the river’s fury during the devastating monsoon last year.
More so, the adverse weather conditions as experienced during the fag end of February, disrupting the barrage repairing works, has only ruined the possibility of making this power plant functional as per schedule.Prevailing weather conditions across the region have also become as a cause of worry for the officials concerned. They are of the view that in case the weather condition worsens it may delay the timely completion of the repair works of the said power plant.
According to the officials, the repair works has to be completed by March 15, 2014, but following disruption in the ongoing repair works, it is difficult to say whether the ongoing repair works will be completed as per schedule or not. “However, we are hopeful that the repair works will be completed soon paving way for power generation,” said Sharad Bhushan, senior manager of the Tanakpur barrage and hydroelectric project, while talking to The Pioneer.
The hydroelectric project is run by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC). The repairing works would cost about Rs 30 crore to the Government exchequer, informed the officials. The capacity of this hydroelectric plant is 120 MW. But the electricity generation of this plant remains 94 MW a day on an average, added Senior Manager Bhushan. The plant had to be closed on many occasions during monsoon season last year due to the presence heavy silt in the river water resulting in a sharp decline in power generation. The power generation was completely halted for carrying out the repair works since December, 2013.