SONE CANAL HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN SHAMBLES

SONE CANAL HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN SHAMBLES

5-JULY-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

SASARAM------------------------The ambitious scheme to generate electricity from the swift water flow of the Sone River canals is currently suffering from severe neglect. Out of the 13 small hydroelectric projects established across Rohtas, Aurangabad, and Arwal districts, eight units have been shut down for years, while the operational units are generating far less power than their designated capacity. Consequently, this project—designed for a generation capacity of approximately 20 MW—is failing to yield the expected results. Launched in 1995, the project aimed to generate clean energy by using the rapid flow of water released from the Sone canal for irrigation to drive turbines. Following the establishment of the first hydroelectric unit at Dehri, a total of 13 projects were developed across various locations in Rohtas, Aurangabad, and Arwal; however, over time, most of these units became defunct due to technical faults, lack of maintenance, and incomplete work.

Currently, the Rampur (Natwar) project has been cancelled, while preparations are underway to restart production at Paharma. Repair and cleaning work is ongoing at Nasriganj and Sabari. Some units are operating at limited capacity at Dhelabag, Shri Khinda, and Barun, while construction and transmission-related works are in progress at Dihra, Sipahan, Balidad, Jaynagra, Arwal, and Belsar. According to project officials, the total generation capacity of the Dehri Hydroelectric Center is 6.6 MW. After remaining shut for a long period, two units were recently restarted, but one had to be shut down again due to a technical fault. At present, electricity is being generated in limited quantities only at Dehri, Barun, Dhelabag, and Shri Khinda.