Pakal Dul is a 1GW run of the river scheme hydroelectric project (HEP) under construction in the village of Drangdhuran, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. It is anticipated to produce around 3,330 million units of energy a year.
Estimated to cost Rs81.12bn ($1.18bn), the Pakal Dul HEP project will be the biggest hydroelectric project in the state and the first storage project, upon completion. It is part of the prime minister’s Development Package for J&K and is expected to enhance the region’s power generation.
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Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPPL) is constructing the project on Marusadar River, a tributary of the Chenab River. Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development holds a 49% stake in CVPPL while National Hydroelectric Power (NHPC) and PTC India hold 49% and 2% respectively.
The foundation stone for the construction of the project was laid in May 2018 while construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The project is expected to start operations in September 2026.
The project is expected to create more than 3,000 direct and indirect construction jobs and approximately 500 operational jobs.
During the first ten years of operation, the state of J&K will receive 12% free power from the project, in addition to waiving water usage charges. The state will also have the first right to purchase the power allotted to NHPC and PTC.
Pakal Dul hydroelectric project makeup
The Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project involves the construction of a 167m-tall, concrete-face rockfill dam and two circular headrace tunnels. Each tunnel will have a diameter of 7.2m and a length of 9.6km.
The main access tunnel of the dam is expected to be 263m long and 8m wide.
Head race tunnels will be connected to two 423m-long and 6m-diameter circular, steel-lined pressure shafts, which will be further bifurcated into four 685m-long and 3.9m-diameter penstocks.
The project will feature an underground powerhouse, which will comprise four 250MW Francis turbines and generators. The powerhouse cavern will measure 157m long, 20.2m wide, and 49m high.
Four horseshoe-shaped tailrace tunnels will be constructed for the project, each measuring 125m long and having a diameter of 5.5m.
Transmission
Power generated by the Pakal Dul hydroelectric project is proposed to be transmitted to the 400kV Kishtwar switching station.
A 400kV switching station will be set up at the Kishtwar pooling station by line-in line-out of Dulhasti/Ratle-Kishenpur 400kV DC line.
Funding and benefits of the Pakal Dul HEP project
The Government of India provided Rs.25bn as subordinate debt to the state government for developing the Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project, in addition to a Rs11.92bn grant to CVPPL.
Pakal Dul hydroelectric project construction
The excavation of the transformer cavern, MIV cavern, and all four trail race tunnels, each measuring 104m, is complete, along with the concrete lining of all four bus ducts. The enlargement of Surge Shaft-2 was finished in July 2023.
In March 2024, the total excavated volume for the tunnel spillway outlet, inlet, and gate shaft platform reached 12,900m3, with a cumulative total of 303,515m3.
The tunnel spillway headings (stages 1 and 2) and the excavation of two 456m sections (total 912m) were completed in November 2023.
CVPPL completed the construction of the main access tunnel for the powerhouse in December 2018, along with the adit to powerhouse, tunnel boring machine adit road, and approach road connecting the access tunnel with the valve house.
Contractors involved
Bharat Heavy Electrical is performing electro-mechanical works at the Pakal Dul HEP.
Jaiprakash Associates (JAL) secured a Rs.28.53bn ($415.41m) contract from CVPPL in June 2018, for the dam’s civil works.
The joint venture of AFCONS and JAL was awarded the Rs.10.5bn ($153.03m) powerhouse civil works contract in February 2018. The JV is responsible for the construction of the powerhouse and approach roads connecting various facilities of the project.
Germany-based Voith Hydro was contracted to deliver four 250MW Francis turbines and generators along with auxiliary equipment and a switchyard in March 2019.
Snehal Engineering was awarded the contract for the fabrication and installation of spillways and power intake structures of the Pakal Dul power plant.
Lombardi, a hydropower engineering company undertook the intricate design of the precast segmental lining for the twin-head race tunnels and associated structures, including portal and Adit tunnel designs, dismantling caverns, and Adit plugs.
The company also provided expert consultancy in the design and selection of double shield tunnel boring machines and strategies for its deployment, including contingency plans for anticipated complex geological challenges during construction.
The hydromechanical works package letter was awarded to PES Engineers in August 2019.
The head race tunnel boring machine package was issued to Larsen & Toubro in July 2020.
