Huge cracks detected at a tunnel of Kameng Hydro Electric Project (HEP)

North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) was scheduled to commission 600 MW Kameng Hydro Electric Project (HEP) and 110 MW Pare Hydro Electric Project by April of the present year. But due to floods and landslides the process kept on delaying. The Kameng project connecting Bichom Dam to Tenga Dam has been detected of developing cracks recently.

In order to start the project before the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre's Power Ministry ordered to start the dam. On 10 March, when water was released from the Tenga dam, it started leaking from multiple places of the penstock, posing serious threat to the power station and NEEPCO establishment at Kimi under West Kameng district.

According to reports, the leakage reportedly occurred due to faulty wielding work which had been carried out by Om Metal. Due to leakage, cracks are being developed in the tunnels of the project. This development of cracks has posed serious threats to the HEP destroying it completely.

As a measure to NEEPCO's attempt to veil this aforementioned issue from the Centre, the General Manager of NEEPCO has been suspended and the inauguration of the project has been postponed.