The second phase of the Parvati project, which was intended to generate electricity in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, has successfully cleared its greatest challenge. Located in the shadow of the greatest mountain range, water from the Parvati River at Barsheni will now be channelled to Sihund in the Sainj Valley via the fully developed headrace tunnel.

greatest mountain range
Image Source: Travelmax

With a length of 32 km and a width of six meters, this is the longest water tunnel in Asia. The excavation began in Pulga in the Manikaran Valley and is now finally completed. The only task still outstanding is the lining. The Parvati project's first phase was finished earlier, and power generation is currently ongoing. With the completion of this 32-kilometer-long tunnel, power generation for Phase Two of the Parvati Project will commence shortly.

Challenges and Delays

The tunnel's foundation was laid in 1999 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Construction began 25 years ago from Pulga in the Manikaran Valley. However, the project encountered numerous hurdles, causing the construction work to be delayed. The project was put on hold for roughly four years due to water gushing from the hills during development.

The Parvati project includes three areas in Kullu district: Parvati, Gadsa, and Sainj. It is Himachal Pradesh's greatest project, with construction expenditures expected to surpass Rs 10,000 crore. Phase 1 of the Parvati project was finished earlier and now produces 800 MW of power. After Phase 2, the project is planned to generate more than 1500 MW of electricity.

The 32-kilometer tunnel will carry water from the Parvati River at Pulga in the Manikaran Valley to Sihund in the Sainj Valley as part of the Parvati Hydroelectric Project's second phase. At Sihund, the power generation facility is operational.

About 800 MW of energy will be produced from the 863-meter head of water between Pulga and Sihund. With water from the Parvati River flowing through the tunnel, power generation will consequently exceed 1500 MW. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana are among the states that will receive electricity from this project.

You might also be interested in - Chile’s Andes Mountains hosts world’s highest astronomical observatory