Pakal Dul hydroelectric project closer to completion with key tunnel breakthrough

In a major milestone for Jammu and Kashmir’s hydropower sector, the 1000 MW Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project has achieved the first breakthrough of its Head Race Tunnel-I, marking significant progress towards the completion of the flagship project in the Kishtwar district.

The successful excavation of the 7.35-kilometre-long tunnel using a state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machine in the challenging Himalayan terrain is being hailed as a landmark engineering achievement.

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The Circular shaped, 7.2 meters’ diameter, approx. 7.35 kilometres of underground tunnel, with 2 km of overburden (rock cover), has been successfully completed with the Hard Rock Double Shield Tunnel Boring Machine in the Indian Himalayas, said officials on Thursday.
The project is being constructed by the Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd.

The historic daylighting was achieved on Wednesday in the virtual presence of CMD NHPC, Bhupendra Gupta, along with all Directors and senior officers of NHPC connected online from Corporate Office Faridabad. Managing Director-CVPPL, Ramesh Mukhiya and other Senior Officers had joined online from CVPPL Corporate Office Jammu.

Meanwhile, Pakal Dul Project head, Vishal Anand, and senior project officials were present on the site at Drangdhuran to witness this important milestone.

Major portions of the two HRTs, from Dool to Drangdhuran, are being constructed by TBMs engaged by M/s Larsen & Tubro and a minor portion has been constructed through traditional Drilling-Blasting Method by M/s JP Associates. Notwithstanding the geological challenges in the Chenab valley region, this large scale hydropower project is fast progressing towards its early commissioning.

On this occasion, CMD-NHPC, Chairman-CVPPL & MD-CVPPL expressed their immense gratitude towards the Government of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the special support provided to Pakal Dul Project and the Government of J&K for their continued support & cooperation in building the Project of national importance. He added that the project will play a decisive role in establishing the CVPPL, strengthening energy security, enhancing grid stability and contributing to the socio-economic development of UT of J&K.