THDCIL installs Unit-1 MIV at 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti project
THDC India Limited (THDCIL) has completed the lowering and placement of the assembled Main Inlet Valve (MIV) of Unit-1 at the 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP) on June 2, 2026. The company described the development as a key milestone in the project’s electromechanical installation works.
THDCIL Chairman and Managing Director Shri Sipan Kumar Garg virtually attended the event and congratulated the project team. He said the milestone marks an important step towards operational readiness and project completion.
According to the company, the successful lowering and installation of the MIV was significant due to its large size, complex assembly requirements, and critical role in plant operations.
Project progress
Shri L. P. Joshi, Chief Technical Officer (CTO), and Shri Kumar Sharad, Executive Director (Projects), also congratulated the VPHEP team and acknowledged the technical coordination involved in the activity.
Shri Ajay Verma, Executive Director (VPHEP), said the achievement was made possible through the efforts of engineers, employees, and stakeholders, along with support from the THDCIL management.
The development follows another major milestone at the project, where THDCIL lowered the fully assembled stator of Unit-1 on April 15, 2026.
Project details
The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project comprises four units of 111 MW each and is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, around 225 km from Rishikesh on National Highway-58.
The run-of-the-river project involves the construction of a 65 m high concrete diversion dam, a 13.4 km Head Race Tunnel (HRT), and a 3.04 km Tail Race Tunnel (TRT). The project is designed to utilise a gross head of 237 m on the Alaknanda River, a tributary of the Ganga River.
The project is expected to generate annual design energy of 1,657.09 MU with 95% machine availability. THDCIL has targeted commissioning of the first unit by March 2027 and the fourth and final unit by September 2027.
Photo credit: THDCIL
