Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project

The Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project has once again come into the spotlight due to a dramatic incident where 19 NHPC workers and officials were trapped inside the project’s tunnel for 22 hours. This highlights the dangers that come with working in the challenging terrain of the Dharchula area in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.

Recent Incident:

• Heavy monsoon rains triggered a landslide that blocked both the main head race tunnel and the emergency shaft. This left the workers trapped for several hours until rescue operations could be successfully carried out.

• Rescue efforts were swift, with teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) working tirelessly to clear the debris and bring the workers to safety.

• Fortunately, despite the dramatic situation, power generation at the plant continued uninterrupted. This is a testament to the project's resilience and ability to maintain operations even in crisis situations.

Key Details About the Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project:

1. Location and Capacity:

   • Located on the Dhauliganga River in Uttarakhand, the project is a 280 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project.

   • The Dhauliganga River is a significant tributary of the Alaknanda River, part of the Ganga River system, which is crucial for both water management and hydroelectric generation in the region.

2. Dam and Infrastructure:

   • The project features a concrete-faced rock-fill embankment dam standing 56 meters tall and stretching 315 meters in length.

   • It has a hydro reservoir capacity of 6.2 million cubic meters. This design helps it regulate water flow for consistent power generation.

3. Operational Details:

   • The gross head (height difference the water travels) is 310 meters, and the net head is 297 meters, both of which are key factors in the plant's efficiency in generating power.

4. History of Disasters and Resilience:

   • The project has faced significant challenges in the past. In 2013, the Uttarakhand flash floods caused extensive damage to the powerhouse, halting operations for several months.

   • In 2021, a glacial burst and avalanche near the region led to the destruction of a separate hydro project on the Dhauliganga, underscoring the vulnerability of infrastructure in these high-altitude, disaster-prone areas.

Challenges in the Region:

• The region’s vulnerability to monsoon-induced landslides and glacial bursts is well-documented. Such disasters regularly disrupt both daily life and energy infrastructure, as seen in the recurring damage to hydropower plants in the area.

• Despite these challenges, the ongoing power generation at Dhauliganga and the swift response to the rescue operation reflect both the strength of the infrastructure and the readiness of rescue teams in the region.

The Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project is a critical part of Uttarakhand’s renewable energy infrastructure, and the challenges it faces highlight the delicate balance between harnessing nature’s power and the risks that come with it.