NHPC stage V to flood its dam from last week of December

Gangtok, Dec 20 (UNI) NHPC today issued a public notice warning the locals to remove all their items that would be flooded by the waters of the 95 m high dam as the 510 MW Teesta Stage V hydro electric project was nearing completion.

NHPC informed the public through its notice that power generation would commence soon and works for filling water in its Dikcu dam site would start from the last week of December.

One of the most ambitious projects in recent times, the 510 MW project is located at Balutar, East Sikkim, and is expected to be fully commissioned by March, 2008.

People were advised to remove their belongings including cattle that might get submerged by the dam's water and they were also advised not to enter the dam or its banks, the notice said.

Water level and flow would increase and decrease in events of water filling and discharge at the dam and it was dangerous to venture close to the river, said NHPC.

NHPC said that it has set up siren systems in various places of the project site for warning the people in event of water discharge but at the same time, said that people might land in trouble in event of a siren malfunction or if people ignore the warnings.

If people ignore the warnings, NHPC would not be responsible, the notice said.

Works for the project are in the final stages and the first unit which will generate 170 MW is expected to be commissioned in January 2008. The other two units with a capacity of 170 MW each are also expected to be commissioned in February and March, 2008 respectively.

Once Teesta V project is commissioned, the Sikkim government will be entitled to 12 per cent free power annually with an estimated annual revenue generation of Rs.80-85 crores. The project is being built with an approximate cost of Rs.2300 crores and the construction works had started in February 2001.

UNI