The 775-MW Luhri Hydroelectric Project has run into rough weather with the Expert Appraisal Committee of the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests for river valley projects expressing concern over its environmental fallout in view of the extremely long head race tunnel and reservoir, which will affect a large number of people due to submergence of land.
It has advised the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) to consider options like reducing the length of the tunnel, decreasing the height of the dam and allowing larger increase environmental flows as mitigating measures. The 38.14-km twin HRT through which water will be diverted to powerhouse for power generation will effectively render dry about 50-km stretch of the Sutlej.
