NTPC‘s Tapovan Vishnugad hydro electric power project is facing inordinate delays, both due to natural calamity and non-fulfillment of contractual obligations. June 2013 flash floods in Uttarakhand had forced NTPC to postpone the commissioning of the plant to June 2016. As per original schedule, the project should have been completed by the end of this calendar year. Even the revised deadline may be difficult to achieve considering the fact that head race tunnel works contractor, a joint venture of L&T and Alpine Mayreder Bau Gmbh, pulled out of the contract citing safety reasons. However, NTPC’s problems don’t stop here as Patel Engineering, contractor entrusted with power house works, is unable to perform any work since May, 2013 owing to cash flow problems. NTPC is now considering bailing out the beleaguered contractor by providing advance of Rs 18 crore. Considering all these problems it would be an achievement if the plant gets commissioned even by June 2013.
NTPC’s Tapovan Vishnugad project involves setting up a hydel power plant across the River Dhauliganga in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal. It is located near Joshimath on Rishikesh-Badrinath Road and involves construction of a barrage at Tapovan, 15 km from Joshimath on Joshimath-Malari Road. The project entails an investment of Rs.2,978 crore. The capacity of the project would be 520 MW (4×130 MW). It is expected to generate 2558.37 million kwh annually, in a normal year.
