Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Burla (Sambalpur), Apr 15:

A joint team of experts from World Bank, Central Water Commission (CWC) and Water Resources Department of Odisha on Tuesday identified the location for construction of additional spillways on the left and right dyke of the Hirakud Dam for release of additional six lakh cusecs of floodwater to ensure its safety.

Survey team at Hirakud dam The team, on the basis of the earlier report of the CWC, identified two sites on the right dyke and one site on the left dyke of the dam.

While the team identified a site for construction of a spillway on the left dyke of the dam near the hill alongside Gandhi Minar, it identified two sites at a height of 13,000 feet and 15,000 feet on the right dyke of the dam for the construction of two spillways.

“Through the two spillways on the right dyke, floodwaters from the low-lying areas of Chipilima in Sambalpur city would be discharged through Jhainjhor”, said chief engineer, Hirakud Dam Project, Biswajit Mohanty.

“As Sambalpur witnesses flood like situation after around 8 lakh cusecs of water is released through 30 gates of the dam, it can be controlled if additional 5-6 six lakh cusecs of water can be diverted and released through other sides”, Mohanty added.

He said team is preparing its report on the land to be acquired for the construction of the proposed spillways.

“A final decision would be taken after the team submits its report. The detailed project report (DPR) of the team is expected by December this year, Mohanty informed.

According to Debasis Mohanty, chief engineer, Dam Safety, in addition to the approved plan of the state government to increase the capacity of the reservoir and the release of floodwaters, there is a plan to develop ecotourism of the reservoir.

He, however, said since land acquisition remains a major problem, effort would be made for acquisition of less number of lands for construction of proposed spillways.

Referring to the cleaning of the silt from the reservoir, he said the state government, through the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) scheme, has submitted a proposal to the IIT, Chennai.

“The institute, after conducting a hydrometric survey, will give details about the volume of siltation in the reservoir. On the basis of its report, the state government would take next steps in this regard”, he added.