No power generation in Nathpa Jhakri for fourth day

Shimla, Jul 27 (UNI) Public sector Nathpa Jhakri hydel power project remained shut for the fourth day today with the silt level in the reserviour still high, official sources today said.

The silt level in the reserviour was 6,500 parts per million (ppm) as against 11,000 to 12,000 parts per million (ppm) recorded yesterday and a high water discharge of 1085 cumecs as against a normal discharge of 500 to 600 cumecs, the sources 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 sources said power generation in the plant would resume as soon as the silt level falls below 4,000 ppm in the reservoir.

Al the six units of 250 MW each remained closed for the fourth day today, causing a loss of over Rs 30 crore to the central and the state government, which has a 25 per cent stake in the plant, they said.

The increase in the silt level in the river was either because of increased construction activity upstream or heavy rains in the catchment areas, the sources said.

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.

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