Bhutan hydro power plants at risk

While Bhutan is boosting its economic strength through hydropower sales to India, the country has starting to see some of the concerning situation that might affect the environment in longer run.

One of the major hydel Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project is experiencing landslides on the right bank of the dam construction site. Through government assured it is nothing to be worried about, those following the project claim it is a matter of huge concern.

Minister Loknath Sharma visited the distressed area. He said the slide occurred when the debris from 2016 slides were removed. The slide has damaged 2m long concrete piles and 100MT of cable anchoring. Several cracks have been detected uphill.

He said the management was trying to stabilise the slide. “The management hired a third-party expert, the Norwegian Geological Institute (NGI) and even an IBIS radar has been installed on the hill, which observes the unground movement.”

The government has invited an expert meeting on the project on January 31 to discuss the issue and find solution.