Chamoli hydro project work halted, workers evacuated after land subsidence triggers tunnel water seepage

Gopeshwar: The construction work on the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydroelectric power project in Chamoli district was halted, and workers evacuated as a precautionary measure, after land subsidence created a 'cavity' (small pit), triggering water seepage in the main tunnel, officials said on Monday.

The 520 MW run-of-the-river project is being built on the Dhauliganga river by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in the Tapovan-Jyotirmath area.

NTPC public relations officer Rajendra Singh Jayada said the incident occurred on August 15 in which a "small cavity" formed during tunnelling, leading to mild water seepage. He said work in the affected area was stopped as soon as information was received and workers were immediately evacuated.