In Uttarakhand, the state-owned UJVNL’s largest power project, the 304 MW Maneri Bhali-2, will continue to generate electricity from its headrace tunnel while repairs are carried out simultaneously. The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved this plan. The repairs will be conducted using remotely operated vehicles.
The headrace tunnel of MB-2 has a section in the Gamri Gad area with low overburden (20-22 meters). This section is located very close to the active Srinagar Thrust (geological fault line). Since 2021, water leakage from the headrace tunnel has been steadily increasing. Initially, the leakage was 229 liters per second, which has now increased to 1602 liters per second. According to experts, this leakage is causing soil erosion and creating voids underground, posing a serious threat to the structural integrity of the tunnel and the stability of the surrounding land.
Repairing the tunnel would have required shutting it down for at least six months, resulting in a revenue loss of approximately ₹50 crore for the state. However, the regulatory commission has now approved a proposal worth ₹12.27 crore. This includes ₹2.65 crore for inspecting the headrace tunnel using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and ₹9.62 crore for ground reinforcement, ground development, and channeling of leakage water in the Gamri Gad area.
The ROVs will be equipped with advanced features such as high-definition cameras, sonar imaging systems, and dye injection technology. These will be used to accurately identify cracks, leakage points, minor damage, and structural deformities. This inspection is expected to be completed by February 2026
