CM Mohan Yadav to hold Cabinet meeting at Gandhisagar on Nov 18, clear Rs 11,500 crore pumped storage project

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will hold a Cabinet meeting at Gandhisagar in Mandsaur district on November 18. He has been holding Cabinet meetings outside Bhopal to promote destination Cabinets. The meeting will approve the 1,920 MW Gandhisagar pumped hydro storage project, a mega project costing Rs 11,500 crore.

A team of senior state government officials, including the Mandsaur Collector and the Superintendent of Police, has begun preparations for the meeting at Gandhisagar.

The Greenko Group is developing the project, which is the largest standalone pumped hydro storage project being built in the country. It is being built in a village in Khemla block of Rampura tehsil in Neemuch district, on about 414 hectares of land.

The project has two reservoirs. The lower reservoir is the existing Gandhisagar reservoir, while Greenko has built a new upper reservoir. The water is not consumed and can be used again and again. Motors powered by surplus solar or wind energy from the grid will pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper one. During peak hours, water from the upper reservoir will be released into the lower one. The same motors will then turn in the reverse direction and work as turbines, generating renewable power.

The project will be able to generate power continuously for six hours. Its rated head in turbine mode is about 122 metres. Round-trip efficiency, the ability to convert stored energy back into electricity, is estimated at about 80 per cent. A total of nine turbines are being installed, which will generate 3,580 million units of electricity a year. For evacuating power and for pumping, the project is connected to a 765/400 kV substation in Mandsaur district, about 60 km away. The first set of turbines will begin operating in December, and the project will be fully operational from June 2027.

Power generated during peak hours will also be sold to NTPC, SECI and the power distribution companies (discoms) of other states, including Madhya Pradesh. It has been stated that this power will be considerably cheaper than the volatile and expensive peak tariffs of the market, and discoms will make large savings. The project will help bring down power rates and will also provide jobs to young people.

The government claims that about 4,000 people have been employed during construction. About 200 people will get permanent jobs on site for its operation and maintenance.

The Gandhisagar hydroelectric power station has a capacity of 115 MW. Floating solar projects on the reservoir surface are also being speeded up. Scientific fish farming and fish collection have been arranged on a large scale in the reservoir. Local fishermen's cooperative societies are being given financial assistance, modern nets, boats and market linkages. Clean drinking water is being supplied to remote villages in Mandsaur and Neemuch through the Gandhisagar Group Water Supply Scheme. Farmers are getting irrigation through a pressurised pipe system and drip and sprinkler technology.

After Kuno, the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary has been prepared as the second natural habitat for cheetahs. The area is also a major centre for a large vulture population and for the safe breeding of crocodiles in the Chambal river. Restoration work is under way to preserve Paramara-era architecture and sculptures. The rock paintings of Chaturbhujnath Nala are located here, so protection of prehistoric rock art and archaeological tourism are being promoted. Adventure activities such as the Gandhisagar Floating Festival, a tent city and water sports have created new job opportunities for local youth in guiding, hospitality and handicrafts.