NHPC-Satluj May Alter Tipaimukh Dam Plan

By Madhumita Mookerji

Kolkata, Feb 13 : The detailed project report (DPR) of the 1,500 mega watt (mw) Tipaimukh hydroelectric power project, being set up in Manipur, may undergo changes or updation.

The project, initially entrusted to North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), is now being jointly developed by NHPC, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) and the Manipur government through a joint venture. While NHPC will hold 69% stake in the JV, SJVN will hold 26% and the balance 5% will rest with the Manipur government.

The joint venture, the background work for which is currently in progress, is yet to be registered. “Once the joint venture is registered, the necessary action for various clearances will be taken up,” NHPC sources said.

The project was considered by the Public Investment Board and clearances were accorded in December 2006. The environmental clearance was obtained in October, 2008, while the forest clearance is still pending.

As per the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by NEEPCO after field studies and investigations, the estimated project cost at September price levels was Rs 8,140 crore.

NEEPCO had spent around Rs 5 crore on preparing the DPR.

However, since the project had not really made much headway, the state government of Manipur decided to hand over the project to the NHPC-SJVN combine, industry sources said.

“The DPR prepared by NEEPCO may undergo changes/ updation during review by the joint venture,” a source in NHPC said, but declined to elaborate.

NHPC has an installed capacity of 5,175 mw, including 1,520 mw of NHCD, a subsidiary. Plans are afoot to add 120 mw by March, 2010 and a further 1,212 mw by March 2011.

Company sources pointed out that environmental clearance for the Dibang dam project in Arunachal Pradesh was delayed on account of the fact that public hearing in one of the districts could not be held because of the law and order situation prevailing in the state at that time.

“The revised proposal has been filed with the ministry of environment and forest for getting the clearances. The project will take about nine years for construction, once the final clearance is obtained,” sources said.