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Tyuni Palasu and Aracot Tyuni, two key hydel projects which were allotted to the Uttarakhand irrigation department, are yet to see the light of day despite the acute power shortage being faced by the hill state.
Both the projects are in various stages of clearances, said V K Tamta, chief engineer, irrigation department. After the allotment of the two hydel projects in 2008, the department had decided to set up a corporation to develop power plants in the hill state. But after Uttarakhand Parvitya Vikas Priyojana Nigam came into existence, the irrigation department officials did not show any interest to join the new corporation.
Though the department is hopeful of bagging more contracts in the near future to develop hydel projects in the state, the corporation remained in dormant stage during the last 3-4 years. This despite the fact that the hill state has 20,000-30,000 Mw of hydropower potential whereas only 3600 Mw has been tapped till date.
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In 2008, the government allotted Arakot Tyuni (81 Mw) and Tiuni Plasu (72 Mw) to the irrigation department.
After alleged irregularities surfaced in the development of 304-Mw Maneri Bhali-II a few years ago, the government had not allotted any project to the department. But after a long gap, the government had again reposed its confidence in the department by allotting the two projects.
The DPR of the 72-Mw Tiuni Plasu is being developed on the river Tons, a tributary of Yamuna in Tiuni area, has already been prepared.
