Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project — VPHEP

UPSC Relevance: Geography

Why in News?

The Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP) remains an important infrastructure project in Uttarakhand.

Key Facts

  • Location → Chamoli district, Uttarakhand

  • River → Alaknanda

  • Type → Run-of-the-river hydroelectric project

  • Capacity → 444 MW

  • Configuration → 4 × 111 MW

  • Implementing company → THDC India Limited

  • Dam → approximately 65 m high

  • Head Race Tunnel → about 13.4 km

  • Underground powerhouse

  • Design energy → approximately 1,657 MU annually according to current project data.

River Significance

The Alaknanda is a major tributary of the Ganga.

Important sequence:

Alaknanda + Bhagirathi → Devprayag → Ganga

Strategic Importance

The project contributes to:

  • Renewable electricity generation

  • Himalayan hydropower potential

  • Grid stability

  • Regional development

Environmental Concerns

Himalayan hydropower projects raise issues relating to:

  • Landslides

  • Seismicity

  • Glacial hazards

  • River ecology

  • Sediment transport

  • Cumulative impacts of multiple hydropower projects

  • Tunnelling in fragile geology

UPSC Key Pointers

VPHEP → 444 MW → Alaknanda → Chamoli → Uttarakhand → Run-of-the-river