Larji Hydroelectric Project Restored and Operational Again, Begins 126 MW Power Generation After Flood Damage

Kullu, May 18:
After remaining non-operational due to severe flood damage, the Larji Hydroelectric Project in Kullu district, with a capacity of 126 megawatts, has been fully restored and is now back in operation. The project had suffered extensive damage during the devastating flood in the Beas River on July 9–10, 2023. Thanks to swift and effective action by the state government, the restoration was completed in under two years—preventing further economic losses and reviving a key power asset.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government initially sanctioned ₹25 crore for restoration. This was followed by an additional ₹35 crore, and subsequently, ₹185.87 crore, to fully rehabilitate the project.

The Chief Minister praised the engineers and staff of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) for their tireless efforts. Their dedication ensured that Unit-1 of the Larji Power Project resumed operation on January 15, 2024, and was successfully connected to the power grid by May 2, 2024. Unit-2 became operational on August 9, 2024, and Unit-3 followed on January 17, 2025. All three turbines are now fully functional and generating electricity.

The flood had deposited large volumes of debris inside the turbine units, rendering them inoperable for months. Since mechanical removal wasn’t feasible, the debris had to be manually cleared by the workforce. To prevent future natural disaster-related damage, several protective measures have been put in place.

Preventive safety measures include the installation of cable mesh and rockfall barriers for slope stabilization. Work near the surge shaft gate has been completed, and ongoing reinforcement is being done at the power house entrance to mitigate risks from landslides and falling debris.

Additionally, a reinforced gate has been installed at the inlet tunnel to prevent water ingress during heavy floods. A similar gate is also being constructed at the emergency escape tunnel, along with further structural work to ensure a safe and watertight system.

For context, during the earlier major flood on August 3, 1953, the Beas River saw a peak flow of 3,838.37 cumecs. In comparison, the 2023 flood brought a much more intense 5,600 cumecs, underscoring the severity of last year’s disaster and the significance of the project’s rapid restoration.