UJVN commissions Kaliganga hydel project

Dehradun, Jul 19 (PTI) State-run power generation company UJVN Ltd has commissioned its ADB-funded 4 MW Kaliganga hydel project in Uttarakhand. "Last night, we commissioned the Kaliganga hydel project by synchronising it with the northern grid," UJVN Director (Operation) B C K Mishra said. The project would now start its commercial operation within the next 15-20 days, Mishra said. All the two units (2X2 Mw) of the project are functioning well with top officials of the UJVN closely monitoring its test runs. The project, which has been built on Kaliganga river in the hilly Rudrapryag district in the state, would generate 26.7 million units of power annually. "At a time when we are facing power shortage, the new project would be a boon to Uttarakhand," he said. The project, which began in 2008, has been built with a total cost of Rs 30 crore. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is funding five small hydel projects in the hill state with a total aid of USD 39.11 million. The hill state is currently facing acute power crisis with a deficit of 5 million units daily. The power shortage is forcing the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (IUPCL), sole power distribution company in the hill state, to resort to rostering of 3-4 hours on daily basis.