The darkness of Dharali in Uttarkashi was dispelled on the fifth day of the disaster. The UPCL team worked on a war footing and restored power supply to Dharali. This was the first night since the disaster when Dharali was illuminated at night.
After the disaster struck on August 5, about two km of power line from Harshil to Dharali was damaged. UPCL Director Operations MR Arya left for Dharali with the entire team but was unable to reach due to the roads being closed. Finally, the Army’s Chinook helicopters and government helicopters brought a ray of hope.
With the help of Chinook and helicopters, a team of 40 officers and employees along with about two tonnes of equipment and wires were sent to the spot. This work was completed in two phases. In the first phase, a diesel generator set of 125 KVA capacity was airlifted from Dehradun Airport to Harshil via Chinyalisaur. Along with this, conductors, poles, service lines, insulators and other necessary equipment were also sent by air. In this process, heavy material was transported by helicopter, for which coordination was maintained with the army and administration.
New service lines were connected
A 10-member team of UPCL was also transported to Harshil valley with electrical material through helicopter. In the second phase, UPCL engineers and linemen worked day and night on the spot in high alert mode and replaced damaged poles and wires. New service lines were connected. Temporary supply was started through DG set.
Apart from this, solar energy and micro hydro grid were also connected, so that stable and continuous electricity could be provided in the valley. 25 kilowatts of energy is being produced from the micro hydro grid, due to which electricity is being supplied to Mukhaba village. Let us tell you that Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan had also given instructions to restore power supply in the meeting on Saturday.
