PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Kholongchu hydro-power project
The project's foundation stone was laid by Modi electronically from the courtyard of Bhutan's Parliament building after addressing a joint session. Three Hydro-electric projects (HEPs) totalling 1416 MW (Chukha, Tala and Kurichu) are already operational.
Three more HEPs [Punatsangchu I (1200 MW), Punatsangchu II (1020 MW) and Mangdechu (720 MW)] are under construction.
They are scheduled to be commissioned in 2017-18. In April, 2014, the two countries had signed a framework agreement on four more JV-model HEPs totalling 2120MW.
Of these, pre-construction activities for the 600MW Kholongchu HEP as a JV-model HEP between Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) and Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) will commence soon.
"Our hydropower cooperation with Bhutan is a classic example of win-win cooperation," an Indian official said, adding that "the hydropower projects generate export revenues for Bhutan, cement our economic partnership and provide clean and low-cost electricity to India." Modi arrived here yesterday on his first foreign trip after assuming office last month.
Shri
Narendra
Modi
unveils
the
plaque
to
lay
the
foundation
stone
of
Kholongchhu
Hydroelectric
Project,
in
Thimphu.
pic.twitter.com/LJuX5zRTxv
—
PIB
India
(@PIB_India)
June
16,
2014
PTI