The process of electrification in Darjeeling hills with special reference to Sidrapong hydropower project

Abstract

The paper gives an overview of the origins and development of hydroelectricity in Darjeeling hills during colonial period and the process of electrification of the region. As the history of the city gained lots of attention from scholars due to its colonial heritage, but its legacy in the production of hydroelectric power wasn’t gained so much attention till now. Darjeeling was one those earliest cities in India, which experienced the luxury of electricity in 19th century India. Here the special focus will be shifted on the Sidrapong power plant, which is known as the earliest hydroelectricity plant in India. Even the production of hydroelectricity was started here with the Sidrapng plant, later various other production units and extensions were installed in the areas like Lebong, Karseong and Kalimpong. In this article, an attempt was made to discuss factors behind the establishment of the project, important events during its developmental stages, production capacity, management, later extensions and other related things elaborately. The paper also contains several unknown data and details and statistics about those projects.