New Delhi
High-altitude sustenance technologies developed by the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), under DRDO, have been handed over to the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) for the 5000 MW Pang-Kaithal High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Project in Ladakh. The transfer occurred during an orientation workshop at PGCIL’s regional headquarters in Jammu. The project, located at 15,760 feet, aims to secure energy supplies for Ladakh and integrate the region’s solar power into the national grid.
The technologies transferred by DIPAS are intended to ensure the well-being of PGCIL’s workforce during operations in extreme high-altitude conditions. These include acclimatization protocols, nutritional rations, protective clothing, cold-injury prevention creams, and energy-efficient shelters. Such innovations are crucial to help workers function effectively in cold and low-oxygen environments.
This collaboration is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DRDO and PGCIL, focusing on using DRDO’s expertise in high-altitude operations for strategic energy projects. DIPAS has previously provided similar support for Indian Army personnel stationed in the Himalayas. The Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project, a key initiative for integrating solar power from Ladakh, aligns with India’s green energy goals, promoting sustainable energy development in remote areas.
