Over the years, technical issues and even geographical challenges have contributed to delays in the 60 megawatt (MW) Pallivasal Extension hydel project in Idukki district. Now when the project is nearing completion, a new problem – garbage menace – has cropped up, forcing the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to put off the commissioning from June to September.
Trash dumped into the river from Munnar town and its neighbourhood are clogging the trash rack gate at the project’s intake point, affecting water flow, and consequently, full-fledged power generation.
The 60 MW extension scheme is in the final stages of commissioning and the KSEB also started power generation on a trial basis. Thus far, this project has already contributed more than 100 million units (mu) to the grid, according to the KSEB.
The State-run power utility had originally planned to inaugurate the project – which has already been delayed by several years on account of technical issues – on June 17. But the floating trash has forced it to come up with urgent solutions and push the formal dedication to September.
According to KSEB officials, the lasting solution to the problem is linking the intake pool of the Pallivasal extension scheme to the intake channel of the older Pallivasal hydel project. Work on it has started. Manual removal of wastes from the trash rack gate is also underway to ensure maximum power generation.
And as a temporary measure, steps have also been taken to install a fully-automated trash gate cleaner.
The 60 MW extension scheme has two 30 MW generators. Plagued by a host of issues including technical glitches and geological challenges, the commissioning of the Pallivasal extension scheme has been delayed by several years. According to the initial agreement inked in 2007, the extension scheme should have been completed on March 1, 2011.
The KSEB is now planning to hold the formal commissioning in September this year.
Published – June 06, 2025 06:12 pm IST
