Patel Engg closes in on Rs 9k-cr hydel project in J

MUMBAI: The government's move to fast-track infrastructure projects ahead of the elections in April has placed Mumbai-based Patel Engineering close to winning the bid for constructing a 1,000MW hydropower project. One of the largest in India, the project would cost nearly Rs 9,000 crore (about $1.4 billion). PSU capital goods major BHEL is the other partner in the consortium with Patel Engineering that has emerged as the lowest bidder among four bidders for constructing this power project in Jammu & Kashmir. Limak of Turkey is the third consortium partner in the project. The request for proposal for the project was floated in 2011 and it has taken nearly three years to close in on the top bidders for the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project in Doda district in J&K. The hydroelectric project will be operated by Chenab Valley Power Projects, a joint venture between PSU majors NHPC and PTC India, and also J&K State Power Development Corp (JKSPDC).

The project would involve constructing a rock-fill dam over 160 meters high and 305 meters long, a 20km long tunnel and also underground power houses. Of the three construction partners, Patel Engineering, a civil construction company focused on the hydropower sector, will design the project, construct a rock-fill dam, a 20km tunnel and also take care of other civil works. Limak will help in the construction of the rock-fill dam and BHEL will design, manufacture and commission the four turbine generator units of 250MW each. Ashwin Parmar, deputy director (business development), Patel Engineering, confirmed to TOI that the consortium is the lowest cost bidder in the tender for the project with its aggregate bid at Rs 8,904 crore. "It's a landmark project for us (the company) and also the country," Parmar said. All the bidders had done a feasibility study of the project in the run-up to putting in the final bid, and the final go-ahead for the Pakal DUL Project is expected in about four-six weeks. Once the final go-ahead in place, it is expected to take about five and half years to complete the project, he said.

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