Shinde inaugurates first unit of Tehri power station.

Dehradun, July 30 (UNI): Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde officially inaugurated the first 250 MW unit of the 1,000 MW Tehri power station of 2400 MW Tehri Dam Project at Tehri today.

With the pushing of the button by the power minister, the Tehri power station has started supply of power to the northern grid.

Mr. Shinde addressing the naugural function said 'The project will generate 3,500 mega unit of electric energy annually providing 1,000 MW of power to the northern grid,''.Terming the project one of the most important one he said with its functioning the dream of Jawaharlal Nehru has been fulfilled. Assuring of total rehabilitation to the Tehri oustees he said in future projects first the rehabilitation work would be ensured then only the project works would be started.He informed that only 170 MW power has been generated today. By two or three days gradually total 250 MW unit would be generated. He said in coming two months power generation from other remaining three power houses would also be started.

Mr. Shinde on the sideline of the inaugural function also laid the foundation stone for a 1,000 MW Tehri Pump Storage unit, which he said would provide 'additional irrigation in the area in around 270,000 hectares'.

Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd.(THDC) was incorporated on December 7,1988 as a joint venture of Government of India and Uttar Pradesh Government with the objectives to plan, promote and organise an integrated and efficient development of hydro resources of river Bhagirathi and its tributaries at Tehri a 190 years old city founded by the then King of Tehri Sudarshan Shah in 1815. The Tehri Hydro Power Complex was transferred by UP Government to THDC on June 1,1989.Tehri Dam and Hydro Power Plant with 260.5 m high rock fill dam is the fifth tallest dam in the world and highest in Asia which has forced out more than one lakh people of 112 villages.The dam project was approved in 1972 and construction was started in 1978.

The main benefits from the project includes annual energy availability of 6500 MU in addition to 2400 MW (100 MW) on completion of Tehri stage I) to the Northern region, irrigation to 2.7 lacs ha, of additional land in UP,stablishing irrigation in existing 6.04 lacs ha. of land in UP,162 million gallon drinking water supply to Delhi per day,108 million gallon of drinking water to various towns of UP per day and flood moderation in Gangetic plain. Uttaranchal will get 12 percent royalty from the Tehri power project and earn a revenue of about Rs.1.2 billion per annum.

However filling up of reservoir with the closure of Tunnel -2 on Oct 29,2005 the 190 year old town buried beneath the watery graves has affected the bussiness of local people as the town used to fall on the route frequented by pilgrims on their way to Gangotri and Uttarkashi but ever since the town was submerged the pilgrims now headed for Uttarkashi and Gangotri completely bypassing Tehri prefering to travel via Rishikesh and Chamba.

UNI/ XC RP KP1520