Nathpa Jhakri remains shut in HP

Shimla, Jul 25 (UNI) Power generation in the country's largest hydel power project, the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri, remained closed for the third day today with the silt level rising further, dashing any hopes of early power generation in the near future, an official spokesman today said.

''The silt level in the reservoir further rose to 11,000 to 12,000 parts per million (ppm) today as against 7,000 ppm registered yesterday, besides a high water discharge of 1200 cumecs as against a normal discharge of 500 to 600 cumecs,'' he said.

The plant was closed on Monday morning after the silt level rose up to 12,000 ppm as against a permissible limit of 4,000 ppm, hours after it restarted power generation following it closure for flushing out silt in the reservoir on Saturday night.

The spokesman said all the six units of 250 MW each remained closed for the third day today, causing a loss of over Rs 25 crore to the central and the state government, which has a 25 per cent stake in the plant.

The increase in the silt level in the river was because of increased construction activity upstream within the borders of the neighbouring country, he claimed, adding that parts of its was due to widespread heavy rains in its catchment areas over the last few days.

The power generation in the plant would resume as soon as the silt level falls below 4,000 ppm in the reservoir, he added.

The power generation in the plant had also remained suspended for three days on July 10, 11 and 12 after the silt level crossed the permissible limit of 4,000 ppm.

UNI AS HS RP PM2004