The Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project completed the excavation of the 8.9 kilometre head-race tunnel. The project officials say they have achieved a major milestone towards completion of the project.
Economic Affairs Minister, Khandu Wangchuk, graced the event by detonating a blast almost a kilometer away inside the mountain.
The blast marked the completion of major works on the 8.9 kilometre long head-race tunnel that will connect the dam and the powerhouse of the project. The head-race tunnel has the water carrying capacity of about 400 cubic metres per second.
Of the total length of head-race tunnel, Gammon India Limited excavated 7.4 kilometre while the remaining 1.5 kilometre forming a part of powerhouse was done by Hindustan Construction Company.
The construction of 1,200 Mega Watt Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project started in November 2008. It is scheduled for completion in 2015.
