(a) the number of central sector hydro power projects under construction in
the country including Bihar for the last ten years;
(b) the reasons for delay in completion of these hydro power projects; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for the early completion of these
projects?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI BHARATSINH SOLANKI )
(a) & (b) : A total number of 29 hydro electric power projects have been
taken up in the country, in Central Sector, over the period of last 10 years. Out
of these projects, 12 hydro electric power projects have since been
commissioned and 17 projects are under construction. There have been
various reasons for delay in commencement of the aforesaid 12 projects, such
as, funds constraints, flash floods, geological problems, land acquisition, law &
order problems, rehabilitation & resettlement problems etc. No Central Sector
hydro electric project has been under construction in Bihar for the last 10
years.
(c) : The steps taken by the Government for early completion of Hydro
Power Projects is as under:
# Detailed investigations are being carried out before the project is taken
for execution to minimize geological surprises at the time of actual
execution. Steps are being taken to tie up for availability of necessary
funds, before, the commencement of the project-execution so that there
is no delay in project execution of the project due to fund constraints.
# Monitoring mechanism has been strengthened to achieve targets by
designating a nodal officer for each project, both at the conception
stage as well as during execution. The nodal officers keep track of and
facilitate resolution of problems which may delay the project by
escalating the issue to appropriate levels for immediate resolution. In
addition, regular review meetings of the projects are organized in the
Ministry of Power in order to put a check on delays.
# Visits are made by officers to the various ongoing projects in order to
identify various bottlenecks and also to suggest solutions thereof in
consultation with the project authorities. Meetings are held with major
equipment suppliers and other major contractors, executing the major
works of dam, head race tunnel, power house etc. for solving the major
constraints which may delay the execution of the projects. Recently, a
model contract document has also been formulated in order to minimize
the contractual problems so as to avoid delays during project execution.