KIRU HYDEL PROJECT (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The Central  Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided 30 places across the coun- try, including three linked to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik in Delhi, Gurugram, and Bhagpat in Uttar Pradesh.

Kiru Hydel Project

• About: The Kiru Hydel Power Project is situated between the existing Kirthai II and Kwar hydel power projects.
• Budget:  Rs 4,287 crore.
• Geographical Location: Positioned near the convergence of the Chenab River and Singad and Bela streams.
• Developed by: Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPPL) is a joint venture of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and the Power Trading Corporation.
• Timeline: The project aims to initiate commercial operations by July 2025.
• Features

oIt features a 123-meter tall dam above the Chenab's river bed level.

oThe reservoir will have a storage capacity of 41.5 million m³ of water.

oIncorporates a 700-meter-long, horse-shoe-shaped diversion tunnel for excess water release.

oAn underground powerhouse, situated at the left bank of the river, will house four turbines, each with a capacity of 156 MW, totaling 624 MW.

• Potential Impact: Expected to contribute to meeting energy demands in northern India and rural areas of the state.