IIT-Roorkee to study Narmada hydel potential

Bhopal, June 14 : IIT-Roorkee will conduct a detailed study to assess the total hydel power potential of the Narmada river keeping in view the present and future power demand in Madhya Pradesh.

The Narmada Valley Development Authority has entrusted the study to IIT-Roorkee as the latter's Alternate Hydro Energy Centre has well equipped facilities for studying small hydro power projects.

IIT-R has consented to undertake the study and prepare a composite master plan at a cost of Rs 48 lakh, NVDA Vice Chairman Uday Kumar Verma said.

Besides the major hydel power projects being constructed, there is a large quantum of unexplored hydel power potential and the state government has decided to exploit the full potential, Mr Verma said.

Apart from the major hydel projects like Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar and Sardar Sarovar in the Narmada valley, the NVDA has already explored the possibilities of nine mini hydel stations in the upper Narmada zone together having a potential of 370 megawatt.

These include: Raghavpur-20 MW, Rosra-35 MW, Basania-60 MW, Chinki-50 MW, Sitareva-15 MW, Handia-51 MW, Boras-55 MW, Hoshangabad-60 MW and Gopalpur-25MW.

UNI