First unit was to be commissioned by 2025: 14 yrs on, north India's first N-power plant in Haryana still hanging fire
Attributing the delay 'primarily to surprises in the soil conditions encountered during construction,' the Union government says the power plant is now slated for commissioning in 2031-32, that too in phased-manner, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to the nuclear energy sector — increasing the nuclear energy capacity by more than ten-fold by 2047 — in his Independence Day speech.
The GHAVP was conceptualised around 2009-10, and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) subsequently identified Gorakhpur village in Haryana's Fatehabad district as a suitable site.
Over the next few years, land acquisition, environmental clearances and public consultations were carried out amid some resistance from local farmers. The project formally took off after former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone on January 13, 2014. However, despite the ceremonial launch, actual construction was delayed due to administrative hurdles, compensation disputes, and procedural bottlenecks.
Between 2014 and 2021, the project saw limited site development, and the Covid-19 pandemic further stalled progress. Major civil construction finally began in 2022, focusing on Phase I, which included two indigenous 700 MW PHWR reactors. But ground preparation challenges and technical issues pushed the timeline, breaching the initial target of commissioning the first unit by 2025.
Officials privy to the development on the site say, 'Units 1 and 2 are expected to become operational by 2031, while Phase II (Units 3 and 4) has been projected for completion by 2032. Despite delays, the construction work has picked up pace, and the NPCIL and the Ministry of Power are now closely monitoring the project. Alongside technical development, environmental and community initiatives have also been introduced, including CSR Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and large-scale tree plantations.'
Congress's Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda sought details about this nuclear power project from the government during the ongoing monsoon session of the Lok Sabha.
Responding to Hooda's query last week, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister's Office Dr Jitendra Singh stated, 'The Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Project comprises of two twin units of 700 MW each, viz. GHAVP1&2 (2X700 MW) and GHAVP-3&4 (2X700 MW). The Government accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for the GHAVP-1&2 in February 2014. Presently, GHAVP-1&2 is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2031-32.'
Giving details about the progress of the project, Dr Singh added, 'Excavation activities commenced in the year 2018. The site is a soil site with no hard rock. Therefore, technique of excavation and Ground improvement (GI) using compacted soil cement mix was carried out. This was followed by construction of foundation piles and their qualification. However, confirmatory geo technical investigations indicated some localised weak zones in soil strata. In view of this, a consultant of repute was roped in for resolution of the issue, who carried out comprehensive investigations and submitted recommendations for remediation, which is presently under review by the regulatory authority. The above stated process took significant time, leading to delay in start of construction of the Nuclear Island. However, award of work for equipment, major EPC packages and construction of other main plant building progressed.'
About the current status of the project, Dr Singh added, 'In order to streamline the project activities, advance procurement of long manufacturing cycle equipment have been initiated. Accordingly major equipment have been ordered, some of which have also been received at site. All major equipment and works packages like Main Plant Civil Works, Nuclear Piping, Turbine Island, IDCT etc., have been awarded and works are in progress. Constant monitoring of progress of project activities at multiple levels, timely identification of constraints & making necessary mid-course corrections, frequent meetings with vendors/contractors and re-sequencing of construction activities to the extent possible, have also been taken. While work is in progress in the peripheral buildings/structures, the construction activities in the main nuclear island would be taken up in full swing once site specific ground improvement activities are concluded and regulatory clearance is obtained. The delay has been primarily due to surprises in the soil conditions encountered during construction.'
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