Even though the life of villagers have started becoming normal three months after natural catastrophe played havoc in the Uttarakhand, the power generation continues to be badly affected in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand.
Department officials said that the extra workforce has been deployed for carrying renovation and repairing of the damaged-hydro power projects in the State. The natural calamities struck Uttarakhand in June has also caused huge loss, including financial loss to Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam limited( UJVNl).
After taking the couple of strict measures, the department has managed to increase the power generation through the State-run hydro power projects, but the turbines have failed to operate at maximum level thus the gap between the demand of power and supply of electricity has further widened. Sources confirmed that the five under construction hydro power projects are reported to be washed away in the natural catastrophe in the month of June.
Among those hydro power projects that are washed away includes Asiganga-I (45 megawatt) and Asiganga-II (45 megawatt) in Uttarkashi district whereas Kaliganga-II (6 megawatt) and Madameshwar (15megawatt) in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The eight megawatt hydro project, Sobla-I in Pithoragarh district was also washed away.
Well established sources revealed that Maneribhalli-I (90 megawatt), Maneribhalli-II (34megawatt), Pilangad (2.25megawatt) in Uttarkashi district, Badrinath-II(1.25megawatt), Pandukeshwar (750kilowatt), Urgam (3megawatt), Tharali (400megawatt) in Chamoli district, Kanchotti (2megawatt),Chirkilla (1.5megawatt), Relagaad (3 megawatt) in Pithoragarh district and Kaliganga-I(4megawatt) in Rudraprayag district are badly damaged in the natural calamities that wrecked havoc in Uttarakhand.
The estimate prepared by the department clearly highlighted that the Chilla hydro power project, Maneri Bhalli-I and II will likely to take one to two years for renovation. The Pilgad and Asiganga-I hydro power projects will take around two years whereas the turbines of Asiganga-II and Kaligad hydro power projects will take another one year to run on optimum power.
Among the worst affected hydro power projects that witnessed the brunt of the natural calamites include Kaliganga –I and II, Kulgad and Sobla that will take time between one to three years for complete renovation and repairing. After expressing his concern over the damaged hydro power projects, one of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that the department has been working round-the-clock for carrying
renovation, modernization and upgradation of the hydro power projects to increase the power generation in the State.