Rs 36 billion hydroelectric project for Bhutan cleared

Thursday, 19 September 2002, 19:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet Wednesday approved the 35.8 billion 1,020MW Tala hydroelectric power project for neighboring Bhutan. While 60 percent of the project cost is being given as a grant, the rest would be a loan to that country, an Indian government spokeswoman told reporters here shortly after a meeting of the cabinet at Vajpayee's residence. When completed, the project will provide 3,692 units of electricity every year to India's eastern grid. It will also help in the development of Bhutan's water resources, she added. The project is to be completed by September 2005. Bhutan has a hydroelectric potential of 20,000MW. But only two percent has been exploited so far. India and Bhutan have been collaborating on hydroelectric power since 1974 when the 336MW Chukha power project was constructed in that country.
Source: IANS