KOZHIKODE: The work on the small hydro electric project (SHEP) at Peruvennamuzhi which is expected to produce 24.7 million units of power annually will start in full swing now that it has got a green light for all the major proposals. The nod for building a tunnel through the land that belongs to the irrigation department and hastening the registration process of the acquired land was given a few days ago.
Following the green light, the tender to construct a powerhouse has been floated including additional works such as setting up of the tunnel. The construction of the Rs 41.46 crore powerhouse is expected to begin in January. SHEP will generate electricity using the water which has spilled over from the reservoir during monsoon.
“Now, a large quantity of water is being wasted. Besides rain water, the treated water from KSEB's Kakkayam dam also comes into the reservoir and spills over," said S. Saina, Assistant Executive Engineer, KSEB Civil Construction (North). The powerhouse will come up 600 metres away from the reservoir and water would be brought to the powerhouse using the tunnel.
"All the works are through underground tunnels. A surge tank will be built 340 metres from the reservoir to prevent the reverse flow of water to the reservoir," she explained. As many as 4.93 hectares of land is needed for the entire project of which 4.423 acre is owned by the Irrigation department. A meeting of officials held in Thiruvananthapuram a few days ago had approved the laying of the tunnel through the land belonging to the Irrigation department. SHEP is expected to be commissioned by 2019.
