Uttarakhand floods likely to delay GVK's hydro project

Hyderabad: Recent floods in Uttarakhand, which created havoc across the Himalayan state, are likely to delay GVK Group's upcoming 330 MW Srinagar hydel project at Pauri district. Works at the site are likely to be affected for at least two months. "During recent floods in Uttarakhand, some water entered the power house at Srinagar hydroelectric power project. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities. Even as we assess the impact on machinery and equipment, corrective measures like water evacuation have already begun," GVK group said in a statement. The project in Srinagar, the largest city in Garhwal hills of the Himalayan state, was among areas affected due to floods which caused large-scale devastation. "Based on the information available currently, there may be an impact of 2-3 months on the project. We are, however, confident of making up to minimise the impact on the project and resolve the issue at the earliest," GVK said. GVK is developing the project on the river Alaknanda in Tehri/ Pauri Garhwal district and its construction is close to completion. All the civil works are in the advanced stages at the project which has a 90 m high dam. GVK has signed a power purchase agreement with the state of Uttar Pradesh and 12 per cent of its total output will be given free to the state of Uttarakhand. The project is expected to commission its first unit by second quarter of this year.