NHPC still unable to get forest clearance for 520 MW hydropower plant

NHPC has yet to receive forest clearance for its 520 MW Teesta-IV hydro electric project from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The ministry had requested the Shillong regional office to carry out the site inspection and submit its report, but there has been no progress made on these fronts.

Furthermore, NHPC has been unable to approach the Ministry of Power for obtaining the recommendations of Public Infrastructure Board since it has not received the in-principal approval in respect of all statutory clearances.

The 520 MW HEP in Sikkim is a run-of-river scheme proposed to utilize the hydel potential of the river Teesta.

The project envisages the construction of a 45 m high concrete dam across the Teesta river, a surface power house on the left bank of the river, with four turbine units of 40 MW capacity, each, and four pressure shafts of 7 m diameter. The project is expected to afford an annual energy generation of 720 million units, assuming 90% performance.