Main tunnel excavation will start in 2010 for the Kishanganga hydropower project in India following the award of the main contract to a JV led by Hindustan Construction Co (HCC), which in turn has subcontracted Seli to provide TBM equipment and execute those works.
HCC was awarded the US$560M turnkey contract by the National Hydroelectric Power Corp. The project is located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in the north of the country, and the construction period is 84 months.
The Indian contractor has described the main civils works as requiring 23.5km of headrace tunnel, an underground powerhouse and a dam.
Seli said it has been awarded a US$47M subcontract to undertake TBM excavation and lining of 14km of headrace tunnel. The double shield is to be launched in July next year.
The Italian firm is also designing and supplying the 6.1m diameter TBM and auxiliary equipment, including back-up, rolling stock and precast segment moulds.
To deal with the difficult geology, the TBM will be fitted with equipment to treat the ground ahead of the face and also have capability to overbore and cut.
A contract period of 60 months has been agreed with HCC, including the manufacture and mobilisation of the TBM.
The main contractor is a JV between HCC, holding 98%, UK-based consultant Halcrow.
