NHPC blames BHEL for supply delays

NHPC Limited's 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo hydroelectric project unlikely to go on steam by its latest expected commissioning date of October 2011.

The state-run utility has requested the contractor, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, to supply electro-magnetic equipment without any further delays, as the road access, that was shut since December last year, has now been opened.

Besides, the river diversion, programmed for April 2011, is now expected by October 2011.

Further, powerhouse concreting, critical for the completion of the project, is anticipated to be concluded by August this year. As of May 18, 2011, 17,636 cum of concrete, out of the total 23,000, has been laid out.

As far as dam concreting is concerned, as against the target of 1,84,695 cum, 1,49,341 cum of concrete has already been laid out, and the remaining 5,364 cum is expected to be completed by December this year.

The Board of NHPC has given its approval for the project's plan outlay of Rs138.60 crore for the financial year 2011-12. The sanctioned amount is almost 40% less than the outlay of Rs 232.68 crore, approved for the previous financial year.

The project is a run-of-river scheme, planned to harness the hydropower potential of the Indus river, in the Leh district of the state. The project would afford an annual energy generation of 239 million units, assuming 90% performance.