Shongtong Karcham Hydroelectric Project

SEO Title: Shongtong Karcham Hydroelectric Project: Sutlej River, Himachal Pradesh and Hydropower

Category: Indian Geography | Energy | Infrastructure

UPSC Notes

The Shongtong Karcham Hydroelectric Project is a hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh associated with the Sutlej River.

Key Pointers

  • State: Himachal Pradesh.

  • River: Sutlej.

  • Located in the mountainous Himalayan region.

  • Hydroelectric projects utilise:

    • River flow

    • Elevation difference

    • Water pressure

  • Important for:

    • Renewable electricity

    • Regional development

    • Energy security

  • Himalayan hydropower projects also raise concerns related to:

    • Landslides

    • Seismicity

    • River ecology

    • Local communities

Prelims Focus: Shongtong Karcham → Himachal Pradesh → Sutlej → hydropower.