Power generation at Teesta Stage V project may resume today

The generation of power at Teesta Stage V (510 mw) hydel project at Dikchu, suspended three days ago due to heavy siltation in its reservoir, may resume by this evening, a top NHPC official said today.     

The power generation will resume after completion of the de-siltation in the reservoir, which had been filled with silt and other slush materials of about 10,000 particle per million (PPM) to force the shutdown as per the guidelines, the official said.     

The heavy downpour and the resultant overflow in the Teesta river earlier this week had led to the amassing of silt in the reservoir beyond its normal level of 500 to 600 PPM forcing the NHPC authories to shut down the power generation at the hydel project.     

The inundation near the project sites due to the spate in Teesta river has also damaged equipment and washed away other materials of both the developer and the private contractors piled up at the project site causing a loss of crores of rupees, the official said.