Parbati Hydropower Project Tunnel Leak Fixed After 19 Years; Power Generation Resumes In Kullu

Kullu: In a major breakthrough for India's hydropower sector, NHPC Limited (formerly National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) has successfully resolved a decade-long leakage issue in the head race tunnel of the Parbati Hydropower Project Phase III in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, paving the way for the resumption of power generation.

The nearly 7-kilometre-long underground tunnel had been facing persistent leakage problems for the past 10 years, severely impacting operations. The issue has now been permanently fixed using advanced waterproof geo-membrane technology by a Chennai-based engineering firm, bringing relief to the project management.

The repair work, carried out at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore, was completed after intensive efforts over three months. Several companies had earlier attempted to resolve the leakage, but all efforts had failed. This time, a team of engineers, including international experts, identified the technical fault and executed a long-term solution.

The nearly 7-kilometre-long underground tunnel had been facing persistent leakage problems for the past 10 years (ETV Bharat)

With the leakage issue addressed, power generation has resumed at the plant. The Parbati Power Station - located near Aut and utilises water from the Sainj River - with a capacity of 520 MW, had been facing significant disruptions due to the tunnel problem. NHPC had reportedly incurred losses of around ₹1 crore per day during the three-month shutdown required for repair works.

The project, which supplies electricity to states including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and others, is expected to stabilise power supply in the region following the restoration.

The Parbati Hydropower Project was originally conceived in the late 1990s, with its foundation stone laid by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999. Construction began in 2001, but the project faced repeated delays due to technical and geological challenges, pushing its completion timeline significantly.

With four turbines installed and testing underway, officials confirmed that the resolution of the tunnel leakage marks a critical milestone in the project’s long-delayed commissioning.

Also read

Rajasthan: Ten people drown in Parbati river during Durga idol immersion in Dholpur

NHPC To Invest Rs 5,500 CR In Setting Up 1,000 MW Solar Project In Bihar