The World Bank is to provide a loan assistance of $648 million for the construction of the Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Plant on the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand.The hydro power plant is expected to generate 1,665 million units of electricity annually. The World Bank said in a statement in New Delhi that 444-MW Vishnugad Pipalkoti Project would also help reduce India's greenhouse gas emissions by 1.6 million tonnes each year, compared to a thermal plant of the same capacity.A 65-metre diversion dam near Helang village in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand will be constructed to create a small reservoir in the Alaknanda River for the project.