A steam generator for units 3&4 of India’s Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) NPP in Haryana’s Fatehabad district has been dispatched seven months ahead of schedule. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and L&T Heavy Engineering held a “flagging off” ceremony. Completion of the steam generator was described by NPCIL as a “significant step” for India’s nuclear expansion.
The Gorakhpur plant will host four 700 MWe Indian-designed pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs). India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted a siting licence in 2015, and the government accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for units 1&2 in 2014. Units 3&4 are among ten 700 MWe PHWRs accorded administrative approval and financial sanction by the government in 2018, for construction in “fleet” mode.
Excavation work for Gorakhpur 1&2 began in 2018, and construction of peripheral buildings and structures is now under way. However, work on the main nuclear island has been delayed by the need for extra ground stabilisation. Attributing the delay “primarily to surprises in the soil conditions encountered during construction”, the Union government says plant is now slated for commissioning in 2031-32.
GHAVP was conceptualised around 2009-10, and subsequently identified Gorakhpur village as a suitable site. Over the next few years, land acquisition, environmental clearances and public consultations were carried out amid some resistance from local farmers.
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone in January 2014. However, according to the Indian Express, despite the ceremonial launch, construction was delayed due to administrative hurdles, compensation disputes, and procedural bottlenecks.
Between 2014 and 2021, the project saw limited site development, and the Covid pandemic further stalled progress. Major civil construction finally began in 2022, focusing on Phase I (units 1&2). But ground preparation challenges and technical issues pushed the timeline, missing the initial target of commissioning the first unit by 2025.
The Indian Express cited “officials privy to development on the site” as saying, “Units 1&2 are expected to become operational by 2031, while Phase II (units 3&4) has been projected for completion by 2032. Despite delays, the construction work has picked up pace, and NPCIL and the Ministry of Power are now closely monitoring the project. Alongside technical development, environmental and community initiatives have also been introduced, including Corporate Social Responsibility activities and large-scale tree plantations.”
In response to a parliamentary question, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh, stated: “Presently, GHAVP-1&2 is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2031-32.” He added: “Excavation activities commenced in the year 2018. The site is a soil site with no hard rock. Therefore, technique of excavation and ground improvement using compacted soil cement mix was carried out. This was followed by construction of foundation piles and their qualification.”
He continued: “However, confirmatory geo technical investigations indicated some localised 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.”
As to the current status of the project, Dr Singh said: “In order to streamline the project activities, advance procurement of long manufacturing cycle equipment have been initiated. Accordingly major equipment has been ordered, some of which has 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.
He added: “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.”
