Description

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Context:

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with SJVN Ltd., GMR Energy Ltd., and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for the development of the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project in Nepal.

About Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project

Aspect	Details
Project Type	900 MW run-of-river hydropower project
Location	Karnali River, Nepal
Electricity Supply	Nepal, India, and Bangladesh
Contract Duration	25 years
Developers	GMR Upper Karnali Hydro Power Limited (GUKHL), Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), SJVN Green Energy
Ownership Structure	GUKHL (73%) and NEA (27%)
Energy Generation	Estimated 3,466 million units annually
Greenhouse Gas Offset	Approximately two million tons annually
Project Components	Concrete gravity dam, main tunnels, fish crossing, feeding tunnels, overflow and pressure shafts, flushing tunnels
Turbines	8 turbines, each with a nominal output of 112.5 MW
Development Status	Construction expected to begin in 2027; commercial operation by 2031

About Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)

IREDA is a Mini Ratna (Category I) company of the Government of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
It was established in 1987 as a non-banking financial institution.
IREDA is engaged in promoting, developing, and providing financial assistance to projects related to new and renewable energy sources and energy efficiency/energy conservation.
The motto of the agency is "ENERGY FOR EVER."

About Karnali River

The Karnali River is a perennial transboundary river originating in the Himalayas on the Nepalese side of the Tibetan border, near the sacred Mount Kailash.

It is the longest and largest river in Nepal, stretching 315 miles. More than 90% of the basin lies in Nepal.

The Karnali River crosses the Himalayas in Nepal and joins the Sharda River at Brahmaghat in India.

Together they form the Ghaghara River, the main left-bank tributary of the Ganga.

Source:

Economic Times

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Karnali River:

The Karnali River originates near the sacred Mount Kailash on the Nepalese side of the Tibetan border.
The river is entirely contained within Nepal, with no portion flowing into India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Karnali River originates near Mount Kailash, located on the Nepalese side of the Tibetan border.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Over 90% of the Karnali River basin lies in Nepal, but it crosses into India and joins the Sharda River at Brahmaghat in India. The Karnali River joins the Sharda River in India, and together they form the Ghaghara River, a left-bank tributary of the Ganga.