Bhutanese delegation visits THDC's Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project

New Delhi: A high-level delegation of eight officials from Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) recently visited THDC India Limited’s (THDCIL) under-construction 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP) in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The visit aimed to gain insights into the project’s advanced engineering techniques, environmental practices, and operational milestones.

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DGPC, Bhutan’s leading hydropower generation utility, has consistently emphasized the importance of adopting international best practices in hydropower development. The visit, which took place from December 15 to December 18, was designed to observe VPHEP’s innovative construction methodologies, including its record-setting Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations and cutting-edge environmental management strategies.

THDC’s executives provided a detailed presentation covering various aspects of the project’s development. Following the briefing, the delegation toured key project sites, including the underground powerhouse, the headrace tunnel, and the dam site near Helong village. Despite the region’s challenging Himalayan terrain, the delegation expressed admiration for the progress achieved at VPHEP.

Phub Zam, Executive Engineer (Civil) at DGPC, remarked, “This visit has been a great learning opportunity for our team, offering practical insights into the planning, design, and execution of large-scale dam projects. We have heard commendable reports about VPHEP’s progress and achievements from various sources, including officials from the World Bank. By visiting the project site, we have witnessed firsthand the exemplary work being done here, which sets a benchmark for hydropower development.”

The visit provided an opportunity for DGPC’s officials to engage with THDC’s engineering teams and gain insights into best practices that could be adapted to Bhutan’s hydropower projects.

The Bhutanese delegation included:

• Phub Zam, Executive Engineer (Civil), PCD

• Tempa Tshering, Executive Engineer (Civil), DGC

• Dendup Tharchen, Executive Engineer (Civil), DGC

• Pema Wangchuk, Executive Engineer (Civil), DGC

• Ganga Gajmer, Assistant Engineer (Civil), DGC

• Tshering Dema, Geologist, DGC

• Sonam Tshewang Dema, Assistant Engineer (Civil), DGC

• Dorji Dema, Assistant Engineer (Civil), DGC

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