Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP)

Explore the Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP) on the Alaknanda River. Learn about this 444 MW hydropower initiative and its role in boosting clean energy in Uttarakhand.

Table of Contents

Context: 12 labourers were injured after a landslip hit the Vishnugad hydroelectric project site (situated on the Dhauliganga River) in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India.

Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP)

The Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP) is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project being developed in the Chamoli district of the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is an important project to enhance India’s clean energy potential and is situated on the Alaknanda River, a major Ganga tributary

Purpose: The main goal of VPHEP is to add a renewable, low-carbon source to India’s national grid supply. It is intended to supply useful “peaking power” to cover peak-demand periods in the north of the country.

Project Details

Implementing Agency: The project is being formulated and will be implemented by THDC India Limited, which is a public sector company under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. The project is being funded with assistance from the World Bank.
Location: The project is located in the Garhwal area of Uttarakhand, close to the village of Helang in the case of its dam and near the village of Haat in the case of its underground powerhouse.
Capacity: The installed capacity of the project is 444 MW, with four 111 MW units. It is projected to produce approximately 1,657.09 million units (MU) of electricity per year.

Current Status and Timeline

Through mid-2025, the project has proceeded with good progress, albeit with delays.

Physical Progress: The physical progress as a whole is around 71%. Heavy construction activities of the dam, de-silting chambers, and power tunnels are in progress.
Commissioning: The commissioning of the first unit is planned to be completed by October 2026, while the entire project is likely to become operational shortly after.

About Dhauliganga River

Origin: Rises near the Niti Pass, in the border region between the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and southwestern Tibet.
Important Confluence: Joined by the Rishi Ganga River at Raini, a region notable for ecological sensitivity.

Tributary of Alaknanda

One of the key tributaries of the Alaknanda River.
Other major tributaries of Alaknanda include:
- Nandakini
- Pindar
- Mandakini
- Bhagirathi

Confluence Point: Merges with the Alaknanda River at Vishnuprayag, one of the Panch Prayags in Uttarakhand.
Length: Approximately 94 kilometres
Tapovan: The town of Tapovan, known for its natural hot springs, lies along the banks of the Dhauliganga River.