Proposal: "Learning Experience from 720 MW Mangdechhu Project"

Have you contributed your experience to this historic 720 MW Project?

NO.

Have you gained experiences by working in this 720 MW Project?

YES.

As mandated for the theme of Technical Conference 2019 "New Decade, New Challenges" I am selecting the topic namely, Learning Experience from 720 MW Mangdechhu project. I am giving it a try not necessarily to be selected for the paper presentation which is scheduled on 12-13th December 2019 at Kurichhu Hydropower Plant. The abstract needs to be within 300 words (max) and the last date for the submission is on 30th August 2019.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE FROM 720 MW MANGDECHHU PROJECT

Chenga Penjor

Assistant Executive Engineer

Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority

Contract & Procurement Division

ABSTRACT

It was in July-2012 when I first joined the project right after my graduation, I was posted in HRT Complex and given the responsibility to monitor the works of Adit-II without having any knowledge of Hydropower. Gradually I have learned the terms and working system of Hydropower which can be compared with the plumbing system of our home. M/s GIL (later changed to M/s GECPL) is the main contractor and the work was sub-contracted to M/s MIPL, the Swiss family company. The working environment with experts from Slovakia and Austria was quite an experience. They are the all-rounder possessing every skill required to excel the work. Adit-II is one of the longest Adit in HRT with a length of 654 m.

Multi-Drifting excavation of 50 m (No Rock Class Region) was done during Adit Construction and the length of 196 m were achieved from a single face during the construction of Adit-II which indeed is the record in MHPA, the highest achievement in a month.. Daylighting between Adit-II and Adit-III, a total length of 4638 m was a daunting task with the encounter of a high-stress zone with frequent popping sound along with consistent loose fall and cavity formation. Distress and buckling of Steel Ribs, Cracks around the periphery of the Backfilled concrete and the deformation of the Ribs are some of the challenges faced while executing the construction of HRT Face-IV. That has made Face-IV the most critical face of all the faces in HRT. Despite the challenges faced and the surprises encountered, the team didn't let go of their dedication and made it possible making the highest progress of Overt Lining and Invert Lining with 427.4 m and 856 m respectively. The first plugging work was done at Adi-II after completing all the grouting works.

The team of Adit-II has worked tirelessly and I thank all the team who has been part of this historic event. The commissioning of 720 MW MHEP which was graced by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan was very satisfying and the charm of the event came to a point when it was declared that the project is dedicated to the people of Kingdom of Bhutan. I hope and pray that this project will go a long way and will bring in more revenue to the government and eventually benefit the people of Bhutan.