India Builds Asia's Longest Mountain Water Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, To Generate Over 1500 MW of Electricity

The final hurdle of the second phase of the Parvati project, designed for power generation in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu, has been overcome. The headrace tunnel, which will channel water from the Parvati River at Barsheni to Sihund in the Sainj Valley, has now been completed.

This is Asia’s longest water tunnel, stretching 32 kilometers in length and six meters in width. Digging began at Pulga in the Manikaran Valley and has now been completed. Only the lining work is pending.

The first phase of the Parvati project was completed earlier and power generation is underway. With the construction of this 32-kilometer-long tunnel now over, power generation for Phase Two of the Parvati Project will begin soon.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid the foundation for this tunnel in 1999. Construction began 25 years ago from Pulga in the Manikaran Valley. However, the project had to face many obstacles owing to which the construction work got delayed. The project was halted for about four years due to water gushing from the hills during construction.

The Parvati project spans three areas in Kullu district- Parvati, Gadsa, and Sainj. It is the largest project in Himachal Pradesh, with construction costs estimated to exceed Rs 10,000 crore.

Phase 1 of the Parvati project was completed earlier and it currently generates 800 MW of electricity. Upon completion of Phase 2, the project is expected to produce over 1500 MW of electricity.

In the second phase of the Parvati Hydroelectric Project, water from the Parvati River at Pulga in the Manikaran Valley will be channeled to Sihund in the Sainj Valley via the 32-kilometer-long tunnel. The power generation facility has been set up at Sihund.

The head of 863 meters between Pulga and Sihund will be used to generate approximately 800 MW of electricity. As a result, power generation will reach 1500 MW with water from the Parvati River flowing through the tunnel. This project will supply electricity to several states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana.