The Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Project comprises two twin units of 700 MW each viz. GHAVP 1&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.

Excavation activities commenced in the year 2018. The site is a soil site with no hard rock.  Therefore, technique of excavation & 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 localized 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.

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.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

 

(Release ID: 2153192)