Sainj hydropower project to be commissioned in April

The 100 MW Sainj hydropower project in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh would be commissioned in April 2017 and filling of reservoir has commenced.
The project has an installed capacity of 100 MW with two units of 50 MW each and it would generate 322 million units per annum and fetch a revenue ofRs 128 crore to the state exchequer.
People residing in the vicinity of Sainj hydroelectric project have been warned not to venture near the river side from Niharni villageto the confluence of Jiva Nalla and Sainj river as the water can be released any time from the reservoir which may endanger their lives.

D K Sharma, Managing Director, Himachal Pradesh Power corporation Ltd (HPPCL), who is executing the project, said therun-of-riverproject has been developed on river Sainj, a tributary of river Beas in Kullu district andcomprises a diversion barrage on the river Sainj near village Niharni and underground power house on right bank of river Sainj near village Suind.
The project has a 6.36 km long Head Race Tunnel of 3.85 m diameter with two turbines of50 MW.
Construction of about 3 km intake road, three bridges on Sainj river and two traffic tunnels were the major challenges in the beginning which have been successfully tackled by HPPCL engineers.

Sharma said that after commissioning each project affected family will be provided 100 units of electricity per month for a period of 10 years.
In addition 1 per cent of revenue from power generation shall be contributed towards LADF (Local area development fund) during the operation stage.