Jagran correspondent, Khatima. Due to less water release in Sharda Canal by Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, power generation at Lohiahead Power House has decreased. In the power house which produces 41.4 MW electricity, only 20 MW is being produced due to the operation of two turbines. Its effect is also visible on electricity supply.
About seven decades ago, a plan was made to generate electricity from the Sharda River originating from the mountains, so that the needs of the consumers of the area could be met. After this, by constructing a separate canal from Banbasa, Lohiahead Sharda Power House with 41.4 MW capacity was constructed in the year 1955. Electricity is produced from its three turbines, from where apart from Khatima, Sitarganj, electricity is supplied to Tanakpur, Banbasa of Champawat district and Pilibhit district of UP.
How much water is needed?
Apart from this, electricity is also supplied to the industrial establishments of the area from here. To run the three turbines smoothly, 9500 cusecs of water is required, but these days only 5500 cusecs of water is being released into the Sharda Canal by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, due to which only two turbines are able to run, producing only 20 MW of electricity.
Puneet Kumar, Deputy General Manager of Lohiahead Power House, says that due to less water availability, only two turbines are running, through which electricity is being produced. After getting more water, all three turbines will be run.