Sidrapong Hydel Power station the first hydel power station of Asia situated at Darjeeling

Introduction                                                                             

Sidrapong Power Station was set up at hilly

 regions of Himalayan valley at Darjeeling on

 10th November 1897,it happens to be Asia's first

 ever hydro electric commercial power plant which 

used to generate estimated 500KV (by 10th Nov 1897) 

of hydro electricity. Few years ago,West Bengal government

 and West Bengal Electricity and Power board had

declared this site as an "Heritage Power Station, 

the first hydro project of Asia" but, still there are

 no preventive measures are being taken to preserve 

this beautiful heritage station and an benchmark for 

electricity & power production since British India era.

How to reach Sidrapong Power station?

It is situated at height greater then 3,600 fts. at Arya Tea estate Darjeeling sub Division over river sources namely (Barbatia river,Kotwali River and Hospital Jhora) for reaching Sidrapong power station there are two ways namely:

1.The first route is via Arya Tea estate,take an jeep towards this tea factory named Arya Tea estate, then trek up at least 3 Km upwards to Sidrapong Plant, this route is used by trekkers who loves to enjoy Tea estate trekking under the influence of sweet rhyming songs of female tea plucking group.

2. The second route is via Bloom field factory, it is 11 Km stretch and almost equal in distance to first route. Just take an jeep and reach to Bloom Field factory, after this cross over a new bridge recently created by Gorkha Hill Council and enjoy your footsteps at Sidrapong Power plant.

Production capability and specification:

As on 10th November, 1897. 3 sets of 200 KW were set up and which generated around over all capacity of 500 KW.

The amount of discharge by water is in diversion mode by 3 contributory rivers as Barbatia river 4 .00 cu secs,

Kotwali river 1 .50 cu secs, Hospital Jhora 3 .00 cu secs.

Elevation is about 3600 ft with 275 ft gross head.

Potential to attract more tourist

The Sidrapong Heritage Power Station holds a great potential to attract tourists and could be established as a great museum for India's power production achievement, but sadly this Heritage plant is getting vanished slowly day by day.

Presently, when you reach to this destination you will find a cottage type of building perishing slowly with an name plate mentioning like Asia's first hydel power plant.

Status of other power plants at Darjeeling

Though, Sidrapong Power Plant is no more in operation state, still many small hydro power plant projects were established at Kalimpong, Darjeeling.

Among them, Payong Small Hydro Project Plant (Payong SHP) by Dhoot group is in working state with hydel power production of about 6000 KW with discharge of 5.10 cu secs of water. The electricity generated by Payong Small Hydro Power plant is used for commercial purpose only.

However,a big project on river Teesta flowing on border of Sikkim-Darjeeling known "LANCO Teesta Hydro Power Pvt Ltd" is established and with over 500 MW production capacity, but this Hydro project serves the electricity needs of Sikkim state only and a big controversy for Teesta river's water share aroused between India and Bangladesh.

Electricity crisis

Ironically,having such a great achievement in the field of power production sector, the Hilly Himalayan region of Darjeeling is facing severe power cuts & load shedding.

To meet the electricity crisis, power is supplied through Siliguri Power grids, but due to high altitude and poor power transmission frequent load shedding with power failure is creating huge problems, sometimes people have to remain 3 days without having electricity in prime regions of hilly areas, this has lead to growth of inverter and battery supplier companies.

The main problem is suffered by tourist who pay a good amount for their lodging services but are not getting frequent electricity for their personal usage.

Only, the region situated at lower Kurseong enjoys frequent electricity as All India Radio office has established sub power station for it's production and broadcasting.

Remarks on Sidrapong Power Plant by local people

The locals of Darjeeling proudly says,"Back in 20th century, when Japan didn't had electricity. The first household electricity bulb was already lightened at Darjeeling,India"