Dagmara Hydro-Electric Project: Bihar

Dagmara Hydro-Electric Project: Bihar

Part of: GS Prelims and GS I – Geography and GS -III – Infrastructure 

In news

• Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited and Bihar State Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (BSHPC) for Implementation of Dagmara Hydro-Electric Project, Supaul, Bihar
  • The project is located on Kosi river.

About the Project

• It is a Run-of-the-River scheme.
  • Run-of-river hydro projects use the natural downward flow of rivers and micro turbine generators to capture the kinetic energy carried by water.
• The project will have the total capacity of generating 130 MW energy,

Significance

• It will be a landmark project in the power sector scenario of Bihar as far as green power is concerned.
• It will enhance the socio-economic and infrastructure development and  create employment opportunities.

About Kosi River

• The Kosi is a trans-boundary river which flows through Tibet, Nepal and India.
• It has its source in Tibet
• Major tributaries: Sun Kosi, Arun and Tamur
• Its unstable nature causes course changes. 
• The Kosi carries the maximum amount of silt and sand after the Brahmaputra in India.
• It is also known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” due to the extreme flooding that it causes.