CONTRIBUTION OF IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT IN HYDROPOWER PROJECTS OF THE STATE
After the Independence, the necessity of constructing water resources and hydropower projects were felt by the politicians of our country and many multi-purpose projects were conceived and executed. On December 23, 1949, the first Prime Minister of Independent India, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru laid a foundation stone at Dakpathar, 46 km from Dehradun, for construction of Yamuna Valley Hydroelectric Project Stage-I. But due to paucity of funds, the construction work could not be taken up immediately. The construction on the Project was started in 1956 and again had to be stopped in 1958, because Koch Dam was proposed to be constructed on river Yamuna in the upstream of Tajewala Head Works by State of Punjab and it was feared that the Yamuna Valley Hydroelectric Project Stage-I shall come under the submergence. However, the investigations and surveys conducted by the Engineers of Irrigation Department revealed that due to poor geological conditions, it was not feasible to construct the proposed Koch Dam Project. Later, in 1960, Yamuna Organisation was established and the work on Yamuna Valley Hydroelectric Project Stage-I was restarted in 1961 and completed successfully in just 5 years.
After the successful construction of Yamuna Valley Hydroelectric Project Stage-I, Maneri Bhali Hydroelectric Scheme Stage-I was constructed successfully and commissioned in 1984. The Irrigation Department has attained expertise in the last 50 years in construction and maintenance of Civil Works of Hydropower Projects, which include Ichari Dam, Chhibro-Khodri Power Houses, Dakpathar Barrage, Asan Barrage, Dhalipur-Dhakrani Power Houses, Ram Ganga Dam, Chilla Hydropower and Maneri Bhali Stage-II Projects.
HYDROPOWER PROJECTS CONSTRUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT
S.No. |
Project |
|
Year |
Installed
Capacity, MW |
1. |
Yamuna Hydroelectric Project Stage-I
(Dakpathar Barrage, Dhakrani, Dhalipur Power House) |
 |
1965 |
84.75 |
2. |
Yamuna Hydroelectric Project Stage-II Part 1
(Ichari Dam and Chhibro Power House) |
 |
1975 |
240 |
3. |
Yamuna Hydroelectric Project Stage-II Part-2
(Khodri Power House) |
 |
1984 |
120 |
4. |
Yamuna Hydroelectric Project Stage-IV Part 1
(Asan Barrage and Kulhal Power House) |
 |
1975 |
30 |
5. |
Yamuna Hydroelectric Project Stage-IV Part 2
(Khara Hydroelectric Project) |
|
1992 |
72 |
6. |
Chilla Hydroelectric Project |
 |
1981 |
144 |
7. |
Maneri Bhali Hydroelectric Project Stage-I |
 |
1984 |
90 |
8. |
Ramganga Project, Kalagarh |
 |
1976 |
198 |
HYDROPOWER PROJECTS CONSTRUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AFTER CREATION OF THE STATE
After the creation of New State of Uttarakhand on November 9, 2000, Irrigation Department, Uttarakhand also constructed the Maneri Bhali Hydroelectric Project Stage-II, commissioned in Feb. 2008, and remained primarily responsible for maintenance of hydropower projects in the State up to April 2010.

|

|
Barrage at Uttarkashi
|
304MW Power House at Dharasu
|
DPR's Prepared by the Department
S.No |
Project |
Valley |
Installed capacity (MW) |
Approximate Cost (Crore Rs.)/Base Year |
1. |
Kishau Dam |
Tons |
600 |
3455(1998) |
2. |
Tuini-Plasu |
Tons |
45 |
252(2000) |
3. |
Pala Maneri |
Bhagirathi |
416 |
1248(1999) |
4. |
Loharinag Pala |
Bhagirathi |
520 |
902(1995) |
5. |
Tapovan Vishnugad |
Dhauliganga |
360 |
739(1996) |
6. |
Bawla Nandprayag |
Alaknanda |
132 |
507(1996) |
7. |
Song Dam Drinking Water Project |
Song |
6 |
534(2005) |
8. |
Kotli Bhel Dam |
Ganga |
1000 |
4393(1996) |
9. |
Jamrani Dam Project |
Gola |
14 |
2350.56(2015) |
Feasibility Reports Prepared by the Department
S.No |
Project |
Valley |
Installed capacity (MW) |
Approximate Cost (Crore Rs.)/Base Year |
1. |
Deora Mori |
Tons |
27 |
112(1995) |
2. |
Mori-Hanol |
Tons |
27 |
215(1995) |
3. |
Hanuman-Chatti - Syana-Chatti |
Yamuna |
33 |
149(2000) |
4. |
Barnigad-Naiangaon |
Yamuna |
34 |
234(2000) |
5. |
Chunni-Semi |
Mandakini |
26 |
110(1996) |
6. |
Markura Lata |
Dhauliganga |
45 |
154(1996) |
7. |
Lata Tapovan |
Dhauliganga |
108 |
247(1996) |
8. |
Vishnugad Pipalkoti |
Alaknanda |
340 |
1048(1996) |
9. |
Utyasu Dam |
Alaknanda |
1000 |
1985(1996) |
Appraisal Reports Prepared by the Department
S.No |
Project |
Valley |
Installed capacity (MW) |
Approximate Cost (Crore Rs.)/Base Year |
1. |
Hanol-Tuini |
Tons |
45 |
144(2000) |
2. |
Arakot-Tuini |
Tons |
70 |
231(2000) |
3. |
Jakhol Sankhari |
Tons |
60 |
90(1995) |
4. |
Bhainro Ghati - I |
Bhagirathi |
324 |
640(1995) |
5. |
Bhainro Ghati - Ii |
Bhagirathi |
240 |
2736(1995) |
6. |
Barkot-Kuwa |
Yamuna |
30 |
172(2000) |
7. |
Syana Chatti-Gangani |
Yamuna |
45 |
205(2000) |
8. |
Bhuinder Ganga |
Alaknanda |
20 |
86(1996) |
9. |
Karnaprayag Dam |
Alaknanda |
252 |
637(1996) |
10. |
Pinder Ghati Scheme |
Pinder |
112 |
729(1995) |
11. |
Padli Dam |
Pinder |
27 |
84(1996) |
Projects Identified by the Department
S.No |
Project |
Valley |
Installed capacity (MW) |
Approximate Cost (Crore Rs.)/Base Year |
Remarks |
1. |
Bhilangana |
Bhilangana |
19 |
50(1995) |
Identified |
2. |
Pancheshwar Dam |
Sharda |
1000 |
3000(1987) |
Initial investigations were carried out by the Deptt. and the project was transferred to CWC, New Delhi in 1981. |
3. |
Purnagiri Dam |
Sharda |
1000 |
1000(1990) |
Identified, investigations not started. |
4. |
Chamgad Dam |
Saryu |
400 |
1251.2(1986) |
Feasibility Report prepared by the deptt. |
5. |
Sheraghat Dam |
Saryu |
45 |
322.38(1986) |
Financially not viable due to high generation cost. |
6. |
Balighat Binola Dam |
Saryu |
15 |
133.15(1986) |
Financially not viable due to high generation cost. |
7. |
Babas Dam |
Kosi |
88 |
38.93(1986) |
Due to non availability of additional water in Kosi river, not found viable. |
8. |
Khairna Project |
Kosi |
20 |
65(1986) |
Investigations not started |
9. |
Barseemi Dam |
Kosi |
12 |
49(1986) |
Due to non availability of additional water in Kosi river, not found viable. |
10. |
Quarab Dam |
Kosi |
20 |
67(1986) |
Due to non availability of additional water in Kosi river, not found viable |
11. |
Purvi Ramganga Dam |
Ramganga |
45 |
135(1986) |
3 dam sites were found unsuitable due to availability of calcareous rocks. Further investigations were not started |
12. |
Hardhawa Chheena |
Ramganga |
10 |
40(1986) |
Non availability of land for irrigation and higher generation cost. |
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