Prestigious Brunel Medal awarded to hydroelectric project in Bhutan built by India -

New Delhi: The Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan, constructed by India, has been awarded the prestigious Brunel Medal-2020 by the British Institute of Civil Engineers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project on 17th August 2019 during his visit to Bhutan.

The project built with a capital outlay of ₹45 billion at Mangdechhu in the Tongsa district of Bhutan, is looked at as a symbol of India-Bhutan friendship. India has funded this project with a 30% grant in aid and 70% loan. The British Institute of Civil Engineers announced the award for the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project.

This project has made employment opportunities available to the local people. The British Institute has praised the project by saying that the infrastructure facilities have been developed and drinking water and irrigation issues have been resolved. Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Ruchira Kamboj, said, ‘I am delighted that the Mangdechhu project jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi and Dr Lotay Tshering in Bhutan last year has been conferred the prestigious Brunel award.

Kamboj said that this is an outstanding example of our two countries working together towards a shared goal. Kamboj reminded that Prime Minister Modi had said that this project shows how two nations, working together, can bring immense positivity in the lives of people.

The project which was started in 2012 was completed in seven years. The revenue target was set for ₹12 billion per year, but the Hydroelectric project has generated a revenue of ₹13 billion in the first year of operation. Since 2nd August, all the four units in the project are operating at full capacity. This project generates 779 megawatts of electricity per day.