Challenges for Investigation & DPR Preparation of Hydro Power Projects – A Case Study of Nakthan HEP (460 MW)

Nakthan Hydroelectric Project is one of the prestigious project of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd located in Manikaran of Distt. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. This scheme envisages by utilization of combined discharge of river Parbati & Tosh nalla for harnessing 460 MW power. The pre-construction activities/investigation of this project are being carried out which is really a challengeable task considering the tough/far flung location of working sites & limited working period. A lot of resistance faced by HPPCL from the villagers of Nakthan (resided near a religious place called Rundernag) regarding shifting the alignment of Head Race Tunnel. The investigation works started by HPPCL were forcibly stopped by villagers of Barshani Panchayat utill their demand was not considered. Accordingly, the alignment of HRT from Parbati diversion was modified and shifted towards the other side of same hill (away from Rudernag Stream) to meet up the demand of villagers which has resulted increase in the length of HRT. Moreover, the location of Power house cavity/Transformer cavern has also been shifted to a place Guwacha located above the left bank of Tosh nalla.

HPPCL has time and again approached/requested the local body of Barshani Panchyat & Deputy Commissioner, Kullu for issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) under Forest Right Act (FRA), 2006 for execution of Nakthan HEP. This issue has so many times been discussed in Gram Shabha meeting but could not be resolved due to low presence of people/want of quorum.

This paper sums up the processes, clearances and approval of chapters involved in the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).