Mini hydel projects propel growth in tribal areas

Rajamahendravaram: Mini hydel power projects which have been established by Andhra Pradesh Tribal Power Company (APTRIPCO) with an objective of harnessing hydro power available in tribal areas and improving living conditions of the tribes in scheduled area under the ownership of local project committees have started yielding good results.

The entire profit from such projects will accrue to the local tribals and for developing the tribal area. APTRIPCO had identified over 100 potential locations for setting up Mini Hydel Power Projects (MHPPs) and constructed MHPP at Vetamamidi village in Addatheegala mandal located 85 kilometres away from Rajamahendravaram and commissioned the project in 2011.

The APTRIPCO projects including Vetamamidi, Pinjarikonda and Mitlapalem were handed over to APGENCO to maintain and construct the projects for APTRIPCO in the Year 2015 as it could not complete construction of two projects (Pinjarikonda and Mitlapalem) which were in half finished stage.

As far as Vetamamidi Mini Hydel Power Project is concerned, it has generated 23,28,800 units worth of Rs 56.20 lakh since its commission whereas the total amount payable to the APEPDCL for consumption of power is Rs 60.98 lakh till 2015. The production cost exceeded expenditure until APGENCO was given responsibility.

K Ratna Babu, Chief Engineer, Civil, and Executive Director of APTRIPCO, has taken steps to solve several long pending issues of existing 1.2 MW project at Vetamamidi and pending projects at Pinjarikonda and Mitlapalem by taking support from APGENCO officials.

The EPDCL is actually drawing power from 15/04/2011 but claiming 30/11/2011 as commercial operations date. Ratna Babu had negotiated with EPDCL and changed the COD date to 25/04/2011. With this the project has generated Rs 1.4 crore benefit to APTRIPCO.

Initially, the APTRIPCO has entered into an MOU with EPDCL for supply of 200 KVA power for all the three projects. But only one project is in operation which consumes only 80 KVA. But the APEPDCL used to raise bill for 200 KVA. The Executive Director had negotiations with EPDCL and solved the problem and they are now charging only for one project for 80KVA and Rs 22 lakh is saved.

Taking advantage of steep bed gradient and waterfall, it was proposed to establish 1.2 MW MHPP at Pinjarikonda village of Addatheegala mandal in East Godavari which is famous for the waterfall. The TRIPCO has entered into an MoU with APGENCO for execution of project works and GENCO has commenced the construction works.

At present, the works are in progress under the supervision of the Executive Engineer, Civil, Polavaram Hydro Electric Scheme, APGENCO, Rajamahendravaram, Kolagani VVS Moorthy.The GENCO is planning to complete the entire work within the scheduled period and planning for commissioning the project by the end of October, 2017. It was also awarded the construction of 1.2 MW Mini Hydel Power Project in Mitlapalem village of Addatheegala mandal. It is planning to commence the works shortly and complete them as per the schedule.

The uniqueness of all the three projects is that these projects have been proposed on Yeleru canal only at different locations in the same mandal. The project committees consisting of Project Officer, ITDA, Rampa Chodavaram, local village president and 10 to 20 local tribal men and women in particular village have been formed for implementation of the projects. These project committees entered into the Power Purchase Agreement with the APEPDCL for sale of power generated from these MHPPS.

The implementation of all the three projects may decrease the acute power shortage in the surrounding villages of Addatheegala mandal and improve the living standards of the tribal people as the government is allocating the funds generated for the development of local tribal areas.

The project committees have decided to utilise 50 per cent of the funds for the development of the project located village and the remaining 50 per cent for the development activities within mandal. These projects will create employment for the local youth.

M Chandrayya of Penuguleti Palem, who is working as unskilled worker at Vetamamidi MHPP said, “I am not a skilled person and I have joined as an unskilled worker at the project. I am getting a salary of Rs 10,500 per month and I am very happy to get employment near my native village. I am very happy to feed my family with my salary.”

By Samson Raj