Underground power project stops operation

The electricity generation in the country's biggest underground hydroelectric project on Sutlej's tributary Bhaba Khad river was suspended on Sunday due to rise in silt in the river. Owing to the excess rain and cloudburst in the mountains, the water level rises turning the water turbid.

With this, more than 2000 MW of electricity generation has been stalled on Sunday. Along with the 1500 MW project of Nathpa Jhakri, operations in the 412 MW Rampur project in Shimla district and 120 MW Sanjay Vidyut Pariyojana were also shut down after silt level increased in the river owing to heavy rainfall. Due to this, the electricity generators have sustained losses to the tune of Rs 1600 crore.

Nearly 38.5 million units of electricity are generated daily at Nathpa Jhakri, resulting in a daily income of Rs 11 crore.

"Power cannot be generated till the silt has been completely removed," said authorities working at the hydroelectric project. The amount of silt in Sutlej has crossed 8000 parts per million (ppm). "Till the time the silt content in the Sutlej river at Nathpa Jhakri dam doesn't go below 5000 ppm, electricity production will remain suspended," Sanjeev Sood, Project Head, Nathpa Jhakri hydroelectric power plant said. 

Zee Media Newsroom