Teesta Urja set to bring relief to Sikkim

GANGTOK: Men and machines are racing against time to complete the work on the Teesta – Stage III Hydro Electric Project which is expected to mitigate the ongoing power crisis in the tiny Himalayan State.

Sikkim which is endowed with vast hydro power potential and Teesta is the main river stream in Sikkim. The potential of Teesta River is being harnessed through a cascade of six Hydro projects.

The 1200 MW Teesta-III is part of this cascade development – the highest capacity power project in Sikkim. 

The Teesta Project was conceived as part of cascade development of river Teesta by CWC in the year 1974. An SPV called “Teesta Urja Limited” was formed in April 2005 and Implementation agreement signed with the Sikkim Government in July 2005.

The project received all statuary clearances in Record time.  The construction is being executed under EPC by a consortium led by M/s Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd.

As much as 99.2% of Tunneling Works completed (around 34.4 Km out of total 34.6 Km). The Excavation of 13.824 Km of Head Race Tunnel was also completed. 

Power produced to be transmitted till Kishenganj through 400 KV DC line to be constructed by Teesta valley Power Transmission , a JV between Teesta Urja Ltd

and Power grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL). PGCIL is to wheel the power to the beneficiary states in the northern region beyond Kishenganj.

The positive news about the progress of Teesta-III comes as a big relief to the people of Sikkim who are bracing themselves to pay higher tariff.

Power Secretary AK Giri had said that the state currently is procuring electricity from NTPC and thermal power is subject to vagaries of coal supply and prices. As such the price per unit Rs 3 will be applicable from this month itself, Mr Giri said.

Latest updates of Teesta-III

• The Project is conferred with Mega Project Status by the Ministry of Power, Government of India on 2nd June 2010.
• River Diversion achieved on 15th January 2010.
• Around 99.4% of cumulative tunneling completed in the project.
• 71% of the Rock filling completed in Concrete Face Fill Dam (CFRD).
• Cut off Wall Excavation works commenced in Dam Site.
• HRT Excavation achieved on June 4, 2011. Till date 5856 m of overt lining completed.
• Surge Shaft - Break Through achieved between the pilot hole and sinking face on July 8, 2011.
• Vertical Pressure Shaft 1 (645 m): Excavation completed.
• Vertical Pressure Shaft 2 (645 m): Break Through achieved between the pilot hole and sinking face on July 30, 2011.
• Electro-Mechanical works commenced in all six units.
• Steel liners erection commenced in Pressure Shaft.