The commissioning of the 720MW Mangdechhu Hydropower Project Authority (MHPA) in Trongsa has been postponed to December end.
The MPHA had earlier said the project would be commissioned by the end of this month.
The project authority attributes the delay to the installation of floodgates at the dam site, which took an extra month than the stipulated time.
Floodgates, also known as radial gates, regulate water flow at the dam.
The Managing Director of the MHPA, AK Mishra, said one of the pins, which holds the end-arm of floodgate number two had a defect. “There was a crack on the surface,” he said.
He added they had to get a new pin from Mumbai, which led to the delay.
According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the project was supposed to be complete in 72 months, but 81 months have already gone by since the works began.
The project management says 99 per cent of the works are now complete. The remaining 1 per cent, which the project describes as conclusion work, remains to be carried out at the dam, underground powerhouse and tunnels.
Once commissioned, the project will generate about three billion units of power every year.
“The power will be evacuated to Alipurduar, West Bengal in India via the Punatshangchhu Project I and II transmission system,” AK Mishra said.
“The tariff negotiation is going on between the two governments. It will be known soon,” he added.
The project cost has crossed a little over Nu 46bn as of October this year.
