Ranganadi project nears completion

TEZPUR, February 3: The first phase of the 405 MW capacity Ranganadi hydel power project in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh is now at the final stage and is expected to be commissioned by the middle of the year while the second and third phase of the project is expected to be commissioned by 2002. Talking to The Assam Tribune official sources said that the Northeastern Council (NEC) project which started in 1989 at the original project cost of Rs 312.78 crore was entrusted to the Northeastern Electrical Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) and was scheduled to be commissioned in the early 1995. However, the project got delayed due to various causes including adverse geological condition, flood and landslides. Apart from that Kolkata has been chosen as the nearest market for the entire project, the official said. Eighty five per cent work of the project has been completed, the official said adding that the work of the project has been divided among the Gammon India Limited, Asian Track, S Marbanian and Toxmaco Companies Ltd. respectively and the final completion of the cost of the project will stand somewhere around Rs 1500 crore. The work on the 68 meter height concrete dam which started on July 21, 1995 have been almost completed the official said adding that after the completion of the project 12.5 per cent free power will be supplied to Arunachal Pradesh and if further power is required then it will be supplied on demand. The 10.2 km long canal with a diameter of 6.75 meters has been completed and the uniqueness of the tunnel is that it consist of two parts horizontal with a mild slope and the other portion is inclined with 30 degree inclination at a length of 523.8 meters which will be one of the longest inclination in India, the official claims. The sources further said that all the machines which have been supplied by the Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) have arrived in the site and the incomplete works are being carried out on a war footing to meet the deadline. Regarding the other power project the sources said that the works for the 25 MW extension Kapili power project in North Cachar Hills in Assam has started and the project will be fully computerised, the first of its kind in the entire Himalayan region. Sources seeking anonymity further said that the Northeast region despite of having a hydro potential of 31,857 MW has failed to materialise its potential and only 1.8 per cent of the hydro potential has been harnessed in the region.