The construction of the 330MW Srinagar hydro power project is progressing, according to Duncans North Hydro Power Company in India. The run-of-river scheme envisages the installation of four 82.5MW units across the Alaknanda river in the Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal districts.

The company has short-

listed three companies from 40 bidders for the contract, which may be finalised by the end of 1999. The project is estimated to cost Rs22,000M (US$507M) and is likely to have a debt to equity ratio of 7:3. Work on the project is expected to begin in late 2000 with commissioning targeted for 2004.

The Maharashtra government has also reported progress on the 4x250MW Koyna hydro power project. The World Bank-aided project has been constructed 1.2km inside a mountain in the Kohkan region in Sindhudurg and Kolhapur districts. The first 250MW unit at the underground power house was commissioned in October 1999. Pre-commissioning tests are under way for the second unit and the remaining units are likely to be commissioned in phases by March 2000.