Why in news?
A small locomotive transporting workers and officials collided with another trolley inside a tunnel of the Vishnugad–Pipalkoti hydropower project in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. Around sixty people sustained injuries, but all were reported to be stable. Authorities clarified that these were internal service vehicles used within the project site and not trains run by Indian Railways.
Background
The Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project is a run‑of‑the‑river scheme being built on the Alaknanda River, a major tributary of the Ganga. Developed by THDC India Limited with financial assistance from the World Bank, the project aims to generate 444 MW of electricity through four turbines of 111 MW each. A 65‑metre diversion dam will channel water into a 13.4 km headrace tunnel, passing through an underground power house before returning it to the river via a 3 km tailrace tunnel. The project is expected to be commissioned by 2027.
Key features
- Run‑of‑river design: Unlike large storage dams, this project uses the natural flow of the river with minimal reservoir area, reducing the need for large‑scale submergence.
- Infrastructure: A concrete diversion dam directs water into a long headrace tunnel, which provides the necessary hydraulic head to drive four vertical Francis turbines.
- Output and beneficiaries: The plant will add nearly half a gigawatt of renewable power to the northern grid, helping meet peak demand and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Financing and oversight: The World Bank has extended a loan of about US$648 million to support construction. THDC, a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is responsible for execution.
Recent incident
The accident occurred during routine transport of personnel within the headrace tunnel. Preliminary reports suggest that a small locomotive towing wagons carrying workers struck a stationary maintenance trolley. Rescue teams evacuated the injured and suspended further movement until safety inspections were completed. The incident underscores the need for strict adherence to safety protocols in underground construction projects.
Conclusion
As India expands its hydroelectric capacity, ensuring the safety of workers remains paramount. The Vishnugad–Pipalkoti project will play a vital role in clean‑energy generation for the Himalayan region, but it must maintain rigorous standards for tunnel transport and emergency preparedness.
Source: The Times Of India
