Renovation of two Bhakra units delayedYogindra MohanPatialaThe renovation and modernisation (R&M) of the Bhakra left bank units 2 and 5 has been delayed by more than two years and units may not be commissioned within three years against the stipulated period of one year.The renovation work of unit no. 2 was started on April 26, 2010 and was to be completed in one year. The commissioning dates have been revised by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) a number of times in last two years. According to the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC) report the latest revised schedule of commissioning of units is February 28, 2013 and March 24, 2013, respectively.According to sources, the work is not likely to be completed as per last revised schedule. The present high temperature of thrust bearings is due to some design problem. There are problems of matching the equipment and hit and trial method have been adopted by the company, said a senior BBMB official. The units are now likely to be commissioned by May or June end this year.The move of the BBMB to outsource the renovation and modernisation of Bhakra left bank Units 2 and 5 has not gone well as the Andritz of Austria has failed to commission the units despite a time over run of about two years. The original equipment manufacturer of turbines is Hitachi.The BBMB awarded the contract for R&M works of all the five left bank units to the lowest bidder, a consortium of three overseas firms at an approximate cost of Rs 490 crore. The R&M work of all five units of left bank was to be completed by March 2013 in a phased manner. According to sources, the R & M activities for unit-2 have been delayed due to design and quality issues. The lack of competence and delay in decision making by the Andritz Hydro India has led to inordinate delays in the construction schedules.The BBMB officials had claimed last year, that unit 2 would be completed by October 2012. The official had maintained that the initial approach of company was not correct. After the BBMB took up the matter with the Andritz Austria, they made some changes in the design of lower guide bearing and some works were redone.