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, India was commissioned on 10th November 1897, heralding first commercial hydro-electric power generation in Indian Sub-continent. It is the first hydel power station in India and in Asia too. It started commercial generation for use of general public and heralded the advent of hydro electric-energy era in the Indian sub-continent. It also ushered in a revolutionary change in the socio-cultural and economic life of Indian society.
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 was identified as Summer Retreat for British officials and distinguished people of Bengal Province. With the passage of time developmental activities in the area started with establishment of Rail connection, road infrastructures, Tea industries leading to slow growth of population. During the last quarter of 19th Century, utilization of Electrical Energy was also envisaged by the Municipality for betterment of living conditions of Darjeeling Town and better functioning of the growing Tea Industries and its workers. It was decided to initiate steps for installation of a hydroelectric power station at Sidrapong, harnessing water flow of three small streams. The piece of land was given by the Maharaja of Burdwan Sri Binoy Chandra Mahatab, for setting up the power plant. The first hydroelectric installation named, Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station located at the foothills of Arya Tea Estate 12 km from Darjeeling town about 3,500 feet above sea-level, was conceived. The project work for the installation of the power station was carried out by Messrs. Kilburn & Co. and completed within one year. The company had to import all machines and turbines from England. Erection of the machineries in those days was not an easy task in hilly area like Darjeeling due to lack of proper road connectivity. So, all equipment, machinery and turbines had to be transported manually which was a Herculean task by any means and still inconceivable in the present day. Finally on 10th November, 1897, the then acting Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, commissioned the power station. Thus began the functioning of the 2 × 65 kW Sidrapong Hydel-Power Station, the first Hydel Power station in Indian Sub-continent. In the first phase, electricity was distributed to Burdwan Palace, Governor House, Mall Road, Jail, Eden Hospital and Tea Garden Manager’s Bungalows. According to local people, whose predecessors worked in the project for four generations, ‘On the D-day, People lined up from Darjeeling town to have a glimpse of the power station. The project was not only a matter of achievement but also gave livelihood to various local residents thereby providing socio-economic upliftment. With electricity the quality of life of common people was immediately improved, their economic potential was also unleashed. This project paved the road for further development with positive effects through various pathways. Erstwhile West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) (now West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd.) took over the operation of the station on 30th January 1978. In the 1980s, the station was damaged due to a massive landslide and remained closed for a decade, but again it was revived in 1997 to mark its centenary. The plant is still in operating condition, though its capacity has de-rated due to age-old machineries. The plant completed its 125 glorious years of operation on 10th of November, 2022.
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. Sidrapong Hydel Power Station is the oldest hydel power station or hydroelectric powerplant in India and in Asia too. The plant which is about 12 KM away from Darjeeling was established using the water resources to give power supply to Darjeeling town and nearby tea gardens. It is the first hydroelectric power utility run on commercial basis for use of general public, heralding the advent of hydro electric-energy era in the Indian sub-continent. The power station has been in operation since commissioning and has successfully completed its 125 years of service in the year 2022 despite several obstacles.
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 laid outside of the main powerhouse building which is guarded 24x7 by security personnel. It has motorable approach road from Darjeeling town (12KM). Visitors may contact the Divisional Engineer, Mini Micro Hydel Division, WBSEDCL, Kurseong (Contact No -8900794055) to see the site.
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)
Till the advent of late 1800, there was no electricity for general public in Darjeeling town and surroundings. During the night time, the villagers either lived in dark or were dependent on oil lamps. So, at a meeting of the Municipal Commissioners of Darjeeling, held on the 11th February 1869, it was decided to install a hydro-electric Power station at Sidrapong to light the town of Darjeeling and adjacent tea gardens. A site for the power station was selected at the foot of the Arya Tea Estate at Sidrapong where some small streams meet together. It is five miles west of Darjeeling and 3200 ft. below the level of Darjeeling Railways Station. November 10, 1897 is an epoch-making day in the history of power sector in our country. 125 years ago, on this day the first hydel power station in India and reportedly in Asia too, was commissioned at Sidrapong near Darjeeling town, the first power utility run on commercial basis for use of general public, heralding the hydro electrical-energy-era in the Indian sub-continent, and ushering in a revolutionary change in the socio-cultural and economic life of Indian society. The first plant consisted of two 65-Kilowatt, single phase, 2300 volts and 83.3 cycles alternators coupled with two Turbines. These single phase installation, though was a very small affair, but it was a great technical and scientific achievement and marked beginning of a new era. Thus, India's first Hydro-Electric Power Station was started and, on the 10th November 1897, it was opened by then Acting Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. This day marked the beginning of renewable hydro generation in this part of the world and was a matter of rejoice for the local residents. Building this project was not only a matter of achievement but this project also gave livelihood to various local residents thereby providing socio-economic upliftment. With electricity the quality of life of common people was immediately improved, their economic potential was also unleashed. This project paved the road for further development with positive effects through various pathways.
What obstacles (technical, political, geographic) needed to be overcome?
Initially, plant consisted of two 65 KW Crompton-Brunton single- phase, 2300 volts and 83.3 cycles alternators coupled with two Gunther's Turbines which were commissioned in the year 1897 with total initial cost Rs. 1.2 lakhs. Later on, more units were added when finally total installed capacity increased to 1000kW. These machines were later replaced with five 200KW units in the new 3-phase system in the year 1931. At present, only one of the five 200kW unit is in operating condition and an effort is being carried out to run the second unit as well. The remaining units are in beyond economic repair conditions. Residual Life Analysis of the hydel power station was carried out and an effort is being taken up to carry out the work of Renovation and Modernisation of the power station by replacing these old 200kW TG-Set with new TG-set. It is also proposed to keep one old 200kW unit in running condition intact to commemorate the historical significance of the power station.
What features set this work apart from similar achievements?
The project was an engineering pioneer which was established in British era in the late 19th century and is the first hydro power station in India and reportedly in Asia too. This project is an onset of renewable hydro energy generation in this part of the world. It operated on commercial basis for use of general public, heralding the electrical-energy-era in the Indian sub-continent and ushering a revolutionary change in the socio-cultural and economic life of Indian society. The machineries & equipment came from England. There being no proper road communication and the project being at a very difficult area, all the material was transported manually, quite inconceivable in the present day. The most noticeable thing is that despite several obstacles, the project at an altitude of 3,600 feet, has been generating power for past 125 years and is still running with the originally installed hydro & electromechanical system with some overhauling and minor modifications keeping the legacy of this heritage project intact. Being the first hydel power station in India and reportedly in Asia too which operated on commercial basis for use of general public, heralding the electrical-energy-era in the Indian sub-continent and ushering a revolutionary change in the socio-cultural and economic life of Indian society.
Why was the achievement successful and impactful?
The project was an engineering pioneer which was established in British era in the late 19th century and is the first hydro power station in India and reportedly in Asia too. This project is an onset of renewable hydro energy generation in this part of the world. It operated on commercial basis for use of general public, heralding the electrical-energy-era in the Indian sub-continent and ushering a revolutionary change in the socio-cultural and economic life of Indian society. The machineries & equipment came from England. There being no proper road communication and the project being at a very difficult area, all the material was transported manually, quite inconceivable in the present day. The most noticeable thing is that despite several obstacles, the project at an altitude of 3,600 feet, has been generating power for past 125 years and is still running with the originally installed hydro & electromechanical system with some overhauling and minor modifications keeping the legacy of this heritage project intact. Being the first hydel power station in India and reportedly in Asia too which operated on commercial basis for use of general public, heralding the electrical-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.
1. Extract of proceedings of Darjeeling Municipality 2. Concise History of Darjeeling District by E C Dorzey 3. Sidrapong_Bengal_District_Gazette 4. Souvenir, Darjeeling Municipality 5. Journal of Royal Society of Arts 6. Telegraph_Newspaper Clip
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.
