Commissioning of Bhakra units delayed by two years

12 February, 2013

The Renovation and Modernisation (R&M) of Bhakra left bank units 2 and 5 has been delayed by more than two years and units may not be commissioned within three years against stipulated period of one year.

The renovation work of unit no. 2 was started on April 26, 2010 and was to be completed in one year. The commissioning dates have been revised by BBMB a number of times in last two years. As per NRLDC report, the latest revised schedule of commissioning of units is February 28, 2013 and March 24, 2013 respectively.

According to sources, the work is not likely to be completed as per last revised schedule. The present high temperatures of thrust bearings, is due to some design problem. There are problems of matching the equipment, and hit and trial method has been adopted by the company, said a senior BBMB official. The units are now likely to be commissioned by May/ June end this year.

The move of BBMB to outsource the Renovation and Modernisation has not gone well as the Andritz of Austria has failed to commission the units despite a time over run of about two years. The original equipment manufacturer of turbines is Hitachi.

BBMB awarded the contract for R&M works of all the five left bank units to the lowest bidder, a consortium of three overseas firms at an approximate cost of Rs 490 crore. R&M works of all five units of left bank was to be completed by March 2013 in a phased manner.

According to sources, the R & M activities for unit-2 have been delayed due to design and quality issues. The lack of competence and delay in decision making by the Andritz Hydro India has led to inordinate delays in the construction schedules.

BBMB officials had claimed last year that unit 2 would be completed by October 2012.The official had maintained that the initial approach of company was not correct. After BBMB took up the matter the Andritz Austria made some changes in design of lower guide bearing and some works were redone.

BBMB official now feels that once unit 2 is renovated there would not be any problem in subsequent units, as the company would have gained the requisite experience. R&M works of unit 4, 3 and 1 will be taken in a phased manner after the completion of ongoing works.