Environmental clearance for Luhri HEP by year-end

 After incorporation of suggestions received through public hearings in its EIA and EMP reports, SJVN's 770 MW Luhri HEP is now expected to receive environmental clearance by December 15, 2011, after these changes are evaluated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The project is also likely to get forest clearance by November 2011, subsequent to physical inspections by the ministry.

Further, land acquisition is expected to be concluded by October 2011.

Notably, the HEP envisages the construction of a 6 m high concrete gravity dam, on the river Satluj, near Kepu village, with a gross reservoir capacity of 35 million cubic meters, as well as a 38.13 km long head-race-tunnel (HRT) with a 9 m diameter, terminating into a surge shaft of 9 m diameter.

The plant involves an underground power house of internal dimensions 156.4 m x 23.5 m and 44 m height, to house four generating units, each, of 193.75 MW capacity, to utilize a tunnel discharge of 480 cusecs and a net head of 181 m. Based on a 95% functional installed capacity and a 90% dependable year, the project is likely to afford an annual energy generation of 3,117.4 Gwh. The capital cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 4,795 crore at June 2005 price levels.