NTPC to execute three projects in Uttarakhand

Power major NTPC on Saturday said it is implementing three big hydel projects with a total capacity of 942 Mw in Uttarakhand. These three projects include Tapovan Vishnugad (520 Mw), Rupsiyabagar-Khasiabara (261 Mw) and Lata Topovan (171 Mw) in the hill state, NTPC’s Regional Executive Director (Hydro) Malvinder S Soin told reporters here. While Tapovan and Lata are situated on river Dhauliganga in Chamoli district, Rupsiyabagar-Khasiabara is located on Goriganga in Pithoragarh district. After the commissioning of Tapovan Vishnugad project in 2014, Mr. Soin said Uttarakhand will be getting 12 per cent of free power which is equal to 300 million units. Other benefits like local area development, enhancement of life of bonafides, income generation will also be given, Mr. Soin said. More than 60 per cent of the tunnel work of Tapovan project has already been completed in this regard, he said. Mr. Soin said NTPC has also relocated two temples in the area successfully. As part of the government policy, NTPC is also planning to provide power to the rural population in the radius of 5 km from the project, he said.