Milestone-Proposal:125th anniversary of Sidrapong Hydel Power Station
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Docket #:2023-13
This proposal has been submitted for review.
To the proposer’s knowledge, is this achievement subject to litigation? No
Is the achievement you are proposing more than 25 years old? Yes
Is the achievement you are proposing within IEEE’s designated fields as defined by IEEE Bylaw I-104.11, namely: Engineering, Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Mathematics, Technical Communications, Education, Management, and Law and Policy. Yes
Did the achievement provide a meaningful benefit for humanity? Yes
Was it of at least regional importance? Yes
Has an IEEE Organizational Unit agreed to pay for the milestone plaque(s)? Yes
Has the IEEE Section(s) in which the plaque(s) will be located agreed to arrange the dedication ceremony? Yes
Has the IEEE Section in which the milestone is located agreed to take responsibility for the plaque after it is dedicated? Yes
Has the owner of the site agreed to have it designated as an IEEE Milestone? Yes
Year or range of years in which the achievement occurred:
11.10.1897
Title of the proposed milestone:
Sidrapong Hydel Power Station, Darjeeling India, 1897
Plaque citation summarizing the achievement and its significance; if personal name(s) are included, such name(s) must follow the achievement itself in the citation wording: Text absolutely limited by plaque dimensions to 70 words; 60 is preferable for aesthetic reasons.
The first hydro-electric generator at Sidrapong, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India was commissioned on 10th November 1897, heralding the advent of commercial hydro-electric power generation in Indian Sub-continent. (Ref.1, pg. 04) (Ref.2, pg. 59) (Ref.3, pg. 151) (Ref.4. pg. 17) (Ref.5, pg. 97)
200-250 word abstract describing the significance of the technical achievement being proposed, the person(s) involved, historical context, humanitarian and social impact, as well as any possible controversies the advocate might need to review.
In the early 19th century, Darjeeling emerged as a summer retreat for British officials and elites of Bengal Province. This led to significant infrastructural developments, including railways, roads, and tea plantations, gradually increasing the region’s population and economic activity. (Ref.6, pg. 09).
By the late 1800s, the Darjeeling Municipality foresaw the need for electrical energy to improve public welfare and support the booming tea industry. To address this, they initiated a hydroelectric project at Sidrapong, harnessing water from three small streams. The Maharaja of Burdwan, Sri Binoy Chandra Mahatab, gave the land at a nominal cost for the installation. (Ref.1, pg. 03).
Kilburn & Co. was tasked with setting up the power station, importing all necessary turbines and machinery from England. Due to the challenging terrain and absence of proper roads, transporting these components manually was a monumental task. (Ref.6, pg. 09) (Ref.7, pg. 275). The Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station, located at the foothills of Arya Tea Estate (12 km from Darjeeling), was commissioned on 10th November 1897 by Mr. C. C. Stevens, then Acting Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. It was the first commercial hydroelectric installation in the Indian subcontinent, operating initially with two 65 kW units. (Ref.1, pg. 04).
Electricity was supplied to key public and private establishments such as Burdwan Palace, Governor House, and tea estates. Local traditions recall residents lining up to witness the new marvel, symbolizing the dawn of a new era. (Ref.6, pg. 10).
This project was not only a technical milestone but also uplifted local livelihoods and marked the beginning of the region's electrification. Despite being damaged by a landslide in the 1980s, the plant was revived in 1997 and continues to operate, albeit at reduced capacity due to aging of equipment.
The plant completed its glorious 125 years of operation on 10th of November 2022. The journey is still continuing. (Ref.8, pg. 1)
IEEE technical societies and technical councils within whose fields of interest the Milestone proposal resides.
Power & Energy Society (PES)
In what IEEE section(s) does it reside?
Kolkata Section
IEEE Organizational Unit(s) which have agreed to sponsor the Milestone:
IEEE Organizational Unit(s) paying for milestone plaque(s):
Unit: Kolkata Section
Senior Officer Name: Prof. Suparna Kar Chowdhury
IEEE Organizational Unit(s) arranging the dedication ceremony:
Unit: Kolkata Section
Senior Officer Name: Suparna Kar Chowdhury
IEEE section(s) monitoring the plaque(s):
IEEE Section: Kolkata Section
IEEE Section Chair name: Suparna Kar Chowdhury
Milestone proposer(s):
Proposer name: Sanjay Kar Chowdhury
Proposer email: Proposer's email masked to public
Please note: your email address and contact information will be masked on the website for privacy reasons. Only IEEE History Center Staff will be able to view the email address.
Street address(es) and GPS coordinates in decimal form of the intended milestone plaque site(s):
Sidrapong Hydel Power Station, Arya Tea Estate (below Orange Valley Tea Factory), Block: Pulbazar Bijanbari, Dist. Darjeeling, State: West Bengal. PIN- 734102. INDIA. Coordinates are: 27.045014 (N) 88.227166 (E)
Describe briefly the intended site(s) of the milestone plaque(s). The intended site(s) must have a direct connection with the achievement (e.g. where developed, invented, tested, demonstrated, installed, or operated, etc.). A museum where a device or example of the technology is displayed, or the university where the inventor studied, are not, in themselves, sufficient connection for a milestone plaque.
Please give the address(es) of the plaque site(s) (GPS coordinates if you have them). Also please give the details of the mounting, i.e. on the outside of the building, in the ground floor entrance hall, on a plinth on the grounds, etc. If visitors to the plaque site will need to go through security, or make an appointment, please give the contact information visitors will need. The proposed site for the IEEE milestone plaque is the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station, located below the Orange Valley Tea Factory within Arya Tea Estate, in the Pulbazar Bijanbari Block of Darjeeling District, West Bengal.
This location was chosen because it has a direct and authentic connection to the historical achievement being recognized. The original power station building, constructed in 1897, still exists and continues to house part of the operational equipment. It is the actual location where the pioneering hydroelectric generation took place in the Indian subcontinent. (Ref.9, pg. 176) (Ref.10, pg. 144).
Are the original buildings extant?
Yes, the original building is still under existence.
Details of the plaque mounting:
Outside of the building, on the main wall.
How is the site protected/secured, and in what ways is it accessible to the public?
The plaque shall be mounted on the wall, outside of the main powerhouse building which is guarded 24x7 by security personnel. The station is accessible by a motorable road approximately 12 kilometres from Darjeeling town. To visit the site, visitors may contact the Divisional Engineer, Mini Micro Hydel Division, WBSEDCL, Kurseong. Contact No -9332788634
Who is the present owner of the site(s)?
West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited
What is the historical significance of the work (its technological, scientific, or social importance)? If personal names are included in citation, include detailed support at the end of this section preceded by "Justification for Inclusion of Name(s)". (see section 6 of Milestone Guidelines)
Until the late 1800s, Darjeeling and surrounding areas had no access to electricity. At night, residents depended on oil lamps or remained in the dark. Recognizing the need for modern infrastructure, the Darjeeling Municipality convened a meeting on 11th February 1896, where the proposal to install a hydroelectric power station at Sidrapong was first discussed (Ref.1, pg. 03).
A suitable site was identified at the base of the Arya Tea Estate, five miles west of Darjeeling, where small mountain streams converged. This location was 3,200 feet below the level of the Darjeeling Railway Station, providing a natural advantage for harnessing hydro power.
On 10th November 1897, the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station was inaugurated by Acting Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Mr. C. C. Stevens. This marked a historic moment in the Indian subcontinent as the region’s first hydroelectric power station was commissioned. (Ref.1, pg. 04) (Ref.1, pg. 01).
The original installation consisted of two 65-kilowatt, single-phase alternators operating at 2300 volts and 83.3 cycles, driven by Gunther's turbines. Though modest in size, this technical achievement represented a landmark in India's industrial development and the dawn of hydroelectricity in the country. (Ref.7, pg. 275).
More than just a feat of engineering, the project had a transformative social impact. The arrival of electricity drastically improved public lighting, health services, and working conditions, especially in tea gardens. It also created employment opportunities for locals, whose families often remained engaged with the station for generations. (Ref.6, pg. 09).
This pioneering initiative paved the way for future developments in the Indian power sector. Even today, the Sidrapong station serves as a symbol of early adoption of renewable energy, sustaining its legacy for over 125 years. (Ref.2, pg. 59).
What obstacles (technical, political, geographic) needed to be overcome?
The establishment of the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station in 1897 was an ambitious feat that faced numerous technical and geographic challenges. At that time, there was no road connectivity to the project site, located at an altitude of approximately 3,600 feet in the rugged hills below Darjeeling Town. (Ref.6, pg. 09) (Ref.5, pg. 97).
All machinery and turbines—including two 65 kW Crompton-Brunton single-phase alternators and Gunther's turbines—had to be imported from England. With no transport infrastructure available, these components were carried manually across difficult terrain.
The original installation had a combined capacity of 130 kW. Over the following decades, as demand increased, the plant was upgraded. By 1931, five 200 kW units were installed in a new 3-phase configuration, boosting the total capacity to 1,000 kW. (Ref.8, pg. 03).
A landslide in the 1980s caused extensive damage to the station, resulting in its closure for nearly a decade. Restoration work began in 1997 to coincide with its centenary celebration. Although the plant was revived, only one of the five 200 kW units remains operational today. The others are in non-repairable condition due to age and wear.
A Residual Life Assessment (RLA) was recently conducted, recommending a full Renovation and Modernisation (R&M) effort. It is proposed to replace the old units with new ones while preserving one of the original 200 kW units in working condition to maintain the historical integrity of the power station.
What features set this work apart from similar achievements?
The Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station stands out as a pioneering engineering project in Indian subcontinent. Established in 1897, during the British colonial era, it introduced the use of renewable hydro energy for public and commercial use in the Indian subcontinent. (Ref.11, pg. 167).
What makes this project especially remarkable is the context in which it was built. The site, situated on hilly terrain 3,600 feet above sea level and 12 km from Darjeeling town, lacked any form of road infrastructure. Despite this, engineers and workers manually transported heavy machinery and components from England over steep mountain trails—a task that would be nearly inconceivable by modern standards. (Ref.6, pg. 09).
The initial setup included two 65 kW single-phase alternators, which operated at 2300 volts and 83.3 cycles. Over the years, additional units were added, culminating in a total capacity of 1,000 kW by 1931. These upgrades marked the station’s evolution alongside technological advancements of the time. (Ref.8, pg. 03).
What is even more noteworthy is the plant’s longevity. Despite its age and geographic vulnerabilities, including a severe landslide in the 1980s, the station continues to function. As of today, one of the original five 200 kW units is still operational. Plans are underway to preserve one of these older units as a living exhibit to honour the plant’s historical importance.
The project’s legacy lies not just in its technical innovation but also in the impact it had on regional development, electrification, and the promotion of hydroelectric technology in India. It truly served as the vanguard of the electrical energy era in this part of the world
Why was the achievement successful and impactful?
The project was an engineering marvel which was established in British era in the late 19th century and is the first hydro power station in India and in Indian Subcontinent. This project is an onset of renewable hydro energy generation in the Indian Subcontinent. It operated on commercial basis for use of general public, heralding the advent of hydroelectrical-energy-era in the Indian sub-continent and ushering a revolutionary change in the socio-cultural and economic life of Indian society.
Supporting texts and citations to establish the dates, location, and importance of the achievement: Minimum of five (5), but as many as needed to support the milestone, such as patents, contemporary newspaper articles, journal articles, or chapters in scholarly books. 'Scholarly' is defined as peer-reviewed, with references, and published. You must supply the texts or excerpts themselves, not just the references. At least one of the references must be from a scholarly book or journal article. All supporting materials must be in English, or accompanied by an English translation.
Ref.1 Extract of proceedings of Darjeeling Municipality. Ref.2 Journal of the Royal Society of arts. December15, 1922, Vol. LXXI. Ref.3 Dash, by Arther Jules. Bengal District Gazetters. 1947. Ref.4 Newman's Guide to Darjeeling. 1930. Ref.5 A Concise History of Darjeeling District. Dozey, E C. 1922. Ref.6 Chowdhury, Krishanu Das. International Journal of History - “The process of electrification in Darjeeling hills. 2022. Ref.7 The Electrical Review. February, 1915, Vol. 76. Ref.8 Sidrapong, Heritage Power station, Centenary Booklet. s.l. : Corporate Public Relation Department, WBSEB, Vidyut Bhawan, Kolkata, 1997. Ref.9 The Electrical Review. August, 1905, Vol. 57. Ref.10 Journal Of Indian Industries And Labour . 1921, Vol. 1. Ref.11 Bengal District Gazetteers-Darjeeling. Malley, L S.S.O'. 1907.
Supporting materials (supported formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG, PDF, DOC): All supporting materials must be in English, or if not in English, accompanied by an English translation. You must supply the texts or excerpts themselves, not just the references. For documents that are copyright-encumbered, or which you do not have rights to post, email the documents themselves to ieee-history@ieee.org. Please see the Milestone Program Guidelines for more information.
Please email a jpeg or PDF a letter in English, or with English translation, from the site owner(s) giving permission to place IEEE milestone plaque on the property, and a letter (or forwarded email) from the appropriate Section Chair supporting the Milestone application to ieee-history@ieee.org with the subject line "Attention: Milestone Administrator." Note that there are multiple texts of the letter depending on whether an IEEE organizational unit other than the section will be paying for the plaque(s).
Please recommend reviewers by emailing their names and email addresses to ieee-history@ieee.org. Please include the docket number and brief title of your proposal in the subject line of all emails.
