VOLUME 4 ISSUE NO.

7 FEBRUARY 2022

The Monthly Newsletter of Central Water Commission

Contents
148th Meeting of Advisory
Committee Of DoWR, RD&GR
The 69th Meeting of Governing
Body of NWDA
Technical Advisory Committee
Meeting on the Scheme- “Dibang
and Lohit Rivers in their original
courses at Dhola-Hatighuli Phase-
V”
Ninety-Third Meeting of Yamuna
Standing Committee
DPR for Erosion Protection Work
for Mandakini River Bank
Meeting on North Koel Reservoir
Project
Meeting for Gyspa Multipurpose
Project
Meeting with the Denmark side
Meeting to discuss and formalize
the Action Plan for the Second
Phase of IEWP
India Australia Joint Working
Group
Support for Irrigation
Modernization Programme (SIMP)
Deficit discharge in the Rajasthan
portion of Narmada Main Canal
Training Activity by NWA, Pune
DRIP
MOU entered between IWAI and
D&R wing of CWC
IMCT visit of Sikkim
Financial Progress of Schemes as
on Jan-2022
Water Sector-News
Data Corner
Reservoir Monitoring
Gallery
History- Machkund Hydro-Electric
Project
Dr. R.K. Gupta
Chairman, CWC
Message
Hon’ble President of India, Shri
Ram Nath Kovind while addressing
the Joint Sitting of two houses of
Parliament commencing the Budget
Session on 31.01.2022 has
highlighted the Government’s
decision on interlinking of rivers
and implementation of the Ken-
Betwa link project. The 148th
meeting of Advisory Committee of
DoWR, RD&GR for consideration of
techno-economic viability of
Irrigation, Multipurpose and Flood
Control Projects was held on
17.01.2022 through video
conferencing under the
Chairmanship of Secretary, DoWR,
RD&GR, MoJS. Important projects
including components of Ken Betwa
Link Project-Phase II were accepted
by the Committee.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched
the National Water Award in 2018.
To encourage and recognize
individuals and organizations doing
exemplary work in the field of water
resources management, DoWR,
RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti is
giving awards to States,
Organizations, Individuals etc. in 11
different categories in the country.
In continuation of the award, the
third National Water Award-2020
was announced on 07.01.2021 in
which Uttar Pradesh has been
awarded first prize in the Best State
Category. CWC officials played a
role in the processing of
applications as well as ground
truth verification for different
categories of awards.
Apart from other assigned roles,
CWC regularly contributes to
international cooperation in the
water sector. During the month,
important interactions were held
with delegations from the
European Union, Denmark and
Australia in the context of different
cooperation programmes. National
Water Academy, Pune was
established in May 1988 since the
academy periodically assessed the
training needs in the water sector
of India and kept adding in its user
base(s), disciplines, pedagogy and
institutional linkages. Due to
COVID-19, NWA is organising
training in online/virtual mode
with participants from different
fields and organisations. A series of
training-cum-webinar on Water
Conservation and Management in
association with WALMI, Odisha
were successfully completed which
was started in November 2021. I
hope that public representatives of
Zilla Parishad, Block Level and
Panchayat Officials as well as Office
Bearers of Pani Panchayats and
Progressive Farmers got benefit
from such programs.
This is the very first issue of this
newsletter under my tenure as
Chairman, CWC. I would request
readers for their suggestions for its
continual improvement. Other
organizations related to the Water
Sector are also encouraged to
contribute any relevant input for
the publication.

Page 1 01
 CWC Newsletter-February 2022
148th Meeting of Advisory Committee of DoWR, RD&GR on Irrigation, Flood
Control and Multipurpose Projects
The 148th meeting of Advisory Committee of DoWR,
RD&GR for consideration of techno-economic viability of
Irrigation, Multipurpose and Flood Control Projects was
held on 17.01.2022 through video conferencing under
the Chairmanship of Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, MoJS. The
meeting was attended by the representatives from
Technical Advisory Committee Meeting on the Scheme- “Dibang and Lohit Rivers
in their original courses at Dhola-Hatighuli Phase-V”
16th meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee –
Brahmaputra Board (TAC-BB) for the issues related with
ongoing flood management “Restoration of Dibang and
Lohit Rivers to their original course at Dholla Hatiguli
Phase V (Part A) being executed by Brahmaputra Board”
was held on 13.01.2022. Shri Kushvinder Vohra,
Member(RM), CWC and ex-officio Additional Secretary to
Govt. of India chaired the 16th virtual meeting, aided
with actual site pictures and videos. Officers from CWC,
Brahmaputra Board, CWPRS, State Govt of Assam and
HoD(Civil Engg), IIT Guwahati participated in the meeting.
In the meeting deliberated discussions were held for the
recently developed problem of change of course by river
Dibang and its confluence in river Lohit in d/s of
currently ongoing schemes and its adverse effects by
aggravating erosion problem on the left bank of river
Lohit.
02
Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur,
Himachal Pradesh besides CWC, NWDA, CGWB, MoTA,
MoEF&GG, CEA, Niti Ayog and MoF etc.
Total five (5) projects, as per the details given below
were accepted by the Advisory Committee in the
meeting.
Member(RM), CWC after deliberation concluded that
for considering short term /long term solutions to
tackle the issue it would be necessary to take a cross-
section of concerned rivers at appropriate points and
for appropriate width. He asked Brahmaputra Board
to submit a plan for taking cross-section and bank line
survey immediately which would be finalized by CWC
quickly and Brahmaputra Board may take necessary
action accordingly. He further suggested that while a
cross-section/bank line survey is undertaken,
Brahmaputra Board may also work out an appropriate
plan for short term/long term measures so that
measures can be taken well in time before the next
monsoon. He further directed CWC officials for
analysis of discharge data at various sites over a
period of time since April 2021 which would help in
understanding the genesis of the current issue.
Drone view of erosion affected reach of Hatiguli Eco Camp area
 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

The 69th Meeting of Governing Body of NWDA

Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind while
addressing the Joint Sitting of two houses of
Parliament commencing the Budget Session on
31.01.2022 has highlighted the Government’s decision
on interlinking of rivers and implementation of Ken-
Betwa link project. The extracts from the President’s
address are:
“The government has also taken forward the plans for
interlinking of rivers. Recently, the Ken-Betwa link
project to be completed at a cost of Rupees 45,000
crore has also been approved. This project will be
helpful in ending the water crisis in Bundelkhand.”
The 69th Meeting of the Governing Body of the
National Water Development Agency was held on
19.01.2022 through video conference. The meeting
was chaired by the Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry
of Jal Shakti. The Annual Report and Annual Accounts of
NWDA for 2020-21 were approved by the Governing
Body. Programme and Progress of Works of NWDA for
the year 2021-22, status and review of the progress
of works and studies of various interlinking of river
projects, the constitution of National Interlinking of
Rivers Authority (NIRA), Organisation of 7th India
Water Week and recently organised BRICS Water
Forum & first BRICS Water Ministers Meet etc. were
deliberated during the meeting.
Additional Chief Secretaries/Principal
Secretaries/Engineer-in-Chiefs of various State
Governments, representatives from Niti Aayog,
Chairman, CWC, Member (WP&P), CWC, Member
(D&R), CWC, Joint Secretary & FA, Ministry of Jal
Shakti, representatives from Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare (Deptt. of Agriculture, Cooperation &
Farmers Welfare), CGWB, CEA, IMD, Joint Secretary
(A), Joint Secretary, (RD&PP), Ministry of Jal Shakti etc.
and members of Governing Body of NWDA
participated in the meeting.

Ninety-Third Meeting of Yamuna Standing Committee

The 93rd meeting of Yamuna Standing Committee (YSC) was held on 18.01.2022 under the Chairmanship of Shri
Kushvinder Vohra, Member (RM), CWC and ex-officio Additional Secretary to Govt. of India and Chairman,
Yamuna Standing Committee (YSC). In the meeting Superintending Engineer, Central Vista, CPWD as well as
officials from NIH delivered a brief presentation regarding the project and model studies.

After the presentation, members of the committee pointed out various observations, which were very well
responded to by the project authority. In the end, the Chairman of the committee gave clearance to the project
subject to some conditions which will be reviewed later by the Committee. These are as under:-

Conditions: Delhi/Railways; it will be ensured that protection

All other statutory /mandatory clearances shall be
obtained by CPWD before execution of the project.
Any issue regarding clearance from the Principle
Committee of NGT and DDA will be taken care of by
the project authority.
The crest level of the embankment may be raised to
208.51 m. CPWD may take up this work in
consultation with I&FCD, Delhi and Railways
considering the design parameters as per relevant
BIS codes and views of CMDD(N&W) Dte., CWC as
may be required, keeping in view the stability
aspects.
Design and cost estimate of second sluice gate on
the drain at the exit point of project abutting to the
existing culvert will be included in the DPR and will
be constructed by CPWD as per the design approved
by the Competent Authority.
Though riverside embankment protection has
already been done by I&FCD, Govt. of NCT
works in form of pitching and launching apron are
in place as per design discharge, velocity and
provision of relevant BIS code 14262:1995
including that for raised portion.
Project authority will communicate with NBRI to
find out the best possible solution regarding the
design of the horticultural plan of the Udyan.
CPWD should provide proper and adequate
access/path for maintenance of the bund, drain
passing through Udyan culvert in consultation with
I&FCD, Delhi and SDMC, Delhi.
Raised bund should be properly tied on both sides
i.e. u/s and d/s for safety purposes to stop the
ingress of water from u/s or d/s. This will be taken
care of by CPWD.
No other structure shall be constructed by CPWD
in the flood plains of river Yamuna without specific
clearance from Yamuna Standing Committee.

Meanwhile, the scope of the model study may be enhanced so as to cover the portion from the old railway bridge
to the Okhla barrage. The outcome may be utilized in further refinement of planned structures.

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 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

DPR for Erosion Protection Work for Mandakini River Bank in Chitrakoot, Satna,
MP 1. State Govt. will review the design as well as cost
aspects as per views expressed by members in the
Meeting for discussion on DPR for Erosion Protection
meeting.
Works at Chitrakoot Dham District, Satna(MP) was 2. State Govt. will review all past annual damage data on
held on 24.01.2022 under the chairmanship of Shri the basis of past years' satellite imageries from 2003
Kushvinder Vohra, Member(RM), CWC and ex-officio to 2020 consistent with past annual peaks and the
Additional Secretary to Govt. of India. same may be marked on a clear index map.
3. Anticipated annual damages may be worked upon
In the meeting, various issues regarding design and actual ground survey maps of the area which is likely to
cost aspects were discussed and were concluded as be eroded on the basis of past years' annual losses in
under- the next 50 years in absence of the project.

Meeting on North Koel Reservoir Project

to assess the Benefit-cost ratio of the various options
A meeting was taken by Shri Kushvinder Vohra,
for arriving at a rational decision, so as to complete the
Member(RM), CWC and ex-officio Additional Secretary
project and derive the maximum envisaged benefits. In
to Govt. of India with the officials of CWC and WAPCOS
the meeting, officials from WAPCOS and CWC were
on 03.01.2022 regarding finalisation of the
directed to firm up the Benefit-cost ratio of the various
computation of Benefit-cost ratio in respect of various
options regarding complete lining/partial lining of RMC
options for complete lining/partial lining of the RMC in
in the Bihar portion for onward submission to DoWR,
the Bihar portion of the North Koel Reservoir Project
RD&GR, MoJS.
(Bihar & Jharkhand).

Meanwhile, the scope of the model study may be

In view of the long pendency of the decision of Govt. of
enhanced so as to cover the portion from the old
Bihar regarding complete lining/ partial lining of RMC
railway bridge to the Okhla barrage. The outcome may
in Bihar portion, the main purpose of the meeting was
be utilized in further refinement of planned structures.
Meeting for Gyspa Multipurpose Project
A meeting was held to discuss the issues related to the
Gyspa Multipurpose Project under the chairmanship of
Shri Kushvinder Vohra, Member(RM), CWC and ex-officio
Additional Secretary to Govt. of India on 04.01.2022.
Officials from Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation
(HPPCL) and CWC attended the meeting.
During the meeting, it was discussed that Project
Authority has to submit the layout plan of the Project
including various components viz. dam and others to
CWC for prima-facie acceptance of for further processing
the revision of approval of ToR by MoEF &CC. Project
Authority has assured that the aforesaid layout plan will
be submitted to CWC by April 2022, once the winter
effect on the hill is reduced and conditions are workable.

04
 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

Meeting with the Denmark side on Action Points emerged during the Visit of H.E.
Ms. Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark to India in Oct, 2021
Shri Kushvinder Vohra, Member(RM), CWC and ex-officio up a Center of Excellence for Smart Water Resources
Additional Secretary to Govt. of India held a meeting Management (CoESWaRM) at National Water Academy,
through video conferencing with officials at Denmark Pune; and, (ii) Establishing a Smart Laboratory for Clean
Embassy, New Delhi and officials from CWC on River Water (SLCRW) at Varanasi have been identified.
07.01.2022 to discuss and develop a common approach During the meeting, the Danish side was requested to
for taking forward the decisions taken during the submit a concept paper on the possible areas of
meeting between Hon’ble Prime Ministers of both the cooperation that the Country can offer for developing
countries on 09.10.2021. Under the collaboration, two the above mentioned two proposals.
proposals pertaining to DoWR, RD&GR namely (i) Setting

Meeting to discuss and formalize the Action Plan for the Second Phase of IEWP
A joint India-EU meeting was held on 14.01.2022 under In the meeting, it was also emphasized that hands-on
the leadership of Shri Kushvinder Vohra, Member(RM), training is the most appropriate and effective way to
CWC and ex-officio Additional Secretary to Govt. of India develop capacities within the IEWP Action. For this, the
and Ms. Kamilla Kristensen Rai, Counsellor (EU development of a work plan is required to ensure the
Delegation to India). The meeting had the participation of capacity building together with NWA, Pune right from
nodal officers of four thematic areas in the second phase the beginning so that appropriate training material and
of the India EU Water Partnership (IEWP). The purpose of resource persons can be put in place. It was also
the meeting was to formalise the Action Plan for four stressed that in addition to capacity building through
thematic areas in the second phase along with the training/workshops if officers are involved right from
cross-cutting pillar of Capacity Development. The four the beginning itself in carrying out the studies along
thematic areas are- with the EU experts, that is always more beneficial and
1. River Basin Management has better effectiveness.
2. Environmental Flows
3. Irrigation and Efficient Water Use
4. Safe Reuse of Treated Wastewater
In the meeting, the Action Plan was finalized so that the
studies to be taken in the second phase are integrated
towards an integrated and holistic River Basin
Management Plan. The second phase of IEWP will
involve the development of the River Basin Management
Plan of the Tapi basin. For the Ramganga basin, it was
decided that the same would be taken up in IEWP as well
as Support for Ganga Rejuvenation Plan and different
components will be coordinated and integrated for the
development of a holistic RBM Plan.

05
 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

India Australia Joint Working Group (Subernarekha Irrigation Efficiency Pilot

Project)
A Joint Officers Meeting between India- Australia was
held on 20.01.2022 which was co-chaired by Shri
Kushvinder Vohra, Member (WP&P), CWC from the
Indian side and Mr. Marcus Finn, First Assistant
Secretary, Water Division, D/o Agriculture, Water &
Environment (DAWE) from the Australian side.

The meeting was held to discuss and confirm the

scoping study proposal for Subernarekha Irrigation
Efficiency Pilot Project under India-Australia MoU on
Water Resources Management.
India-Australia Working Group to coordinate inputs for
Based on the discussions during the meeting, both sides the study. The Indian team for the Working Group is led
have agreed to kick off the study and to constitute an by Chief Engineer (POMIO), CWC.
Support for Irrigation Modernization Programme (SIMP)
Shri Kushvinder Vohra, Member(RM), CWC and ex-officio
Additional Secretary to Govt. of India held a meeting
through video conferencing with the officials from Asian
Development Bank (ADB), SIMP Consultants’ Team and
concerned CWC officials on 24.01.2022 to review and
discuss the implementation of Support for Irrigation
Modernization Programme (SIMP). CWC with technical
assistance from ADB has initiated SIMP which proposes
the application of national and international best
practices for modernizing Major & Medium Irrigation
(MMI) projects in India to improve irrigation water use
efficiency and crop water productivity.

Member (WP&P), CWC reviewed the works carried out

under SIMP Phase-I which came to conclusion on
31.12.2021 and discussed the modalities for taking up
Deficit discharge in the Rajasthan portion of Narmada Main Canal
As per the Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal Award of
1979, Rajasthan is entitled to 616.74 MCM (0.5 MAF) of
water from the Sardar Sarovar Project. The maximum
discharge to be maintained in Narmada Main Canal at
the Gujarat Rajasthan border is 73.62 Cumecs (2600
Cusecs). However, Narmada Control Authority (NCA)
received complaints from Rajasthan, regarding
inadequate releases of Narmada water in the command
areas of the Narmada Main Canal Project in Rajasthan
which caused unrest amongst the farmers in the
command areas of the Project in Rajasthan.
In the 92nd Meeting of NCA held in August 2021 and
chaired by Secretary (DoWR, RD&GR), it was decided
that the study regarding “Analysis and resolution of
deficit discharge in the Rajasthan portion of Narmada
Main Canal” may be entrusted to the CWC and CWPRS,
Pune. The CWC will take the lead and the study may be
conducted in the shortest possible time.
Phase-II and future course of action in this regard.
Dr. R. K. Gupta, as Member(D&R), CWC took three
meetings under his Chairmanship on this issue. The data
has been furnished by NCA to CWPRS and CWPRS is
already studying the issue through mathematical
modelling. The last meeting was held on 28.01.2022 and
it was, inter-alia decided that:
CWPRS shall share the mathematical model with
CWC so that CWC can study several alternatives by
varying the ‘N’ values and the slopes. CWC will
undertake this study by 15.03.2022 and the field
measurements for remaining discharges may be
taken, if found necessary, with the consensus of
both the States i.e. Gujarat and Rajasthan.
CWC and NCA along with State Government officers
shall inspect the canal about the presence of weed
growth and report it to CWC HQ & CWPRS with
photographs.

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 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

MOU entered between IWAI and D&R

wing of CWC
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Inland
Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and D&R wing of
CWC has been signed on 25.01.2022 at New Delhi for
providing technical supports on various hydrological and
river morphological issues involved in the development
of Inland Water Transport NW-5.

Training Activity by NWA, Pune during Jan-2022

DRIP
Review Meeting with MePGCL under DRIP Phase II
A joint review meeting with Meghalaya Power
Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL) was held on
07.01.2022 to discuss the way forward for re-floating
two (2) tenders under DRIP Phase II and III. The
meeting was attended by CPMU officials led by Shri
Gulshan Raj, Chief Engineer, Dam Safety Organization
(DSO), CWC and MePGCL officials led by Shri M.
Shanglipliang, Director, Generation, MePGCL.

Presentation by World Bank on Dam Safety Institutional Structure and Financing

A workshop on “Dam Safety Institutional Structure and Excellence Network on Dam Safety, Financing Dam
Financing” was conducted by World Bank on Safety – National Dam Safety Fund and support from
13.01.2022. A brief presentation was given by World the World Bank for effective dam safety management in
Bank, covering topics including Dam Safety Act 2021 India. The workshop was attended by Mrs. Debashree
and Institutional Arrangements, Prioritization of dam Mukherjee, Additional Secretary, DoWR RD & GR and Dr.
portfolio for effective management, Centers of R. K. Gupta, Member(D&R), CWC along with other
officials of DSO, CWC.
Meeting to discuss Integrated Reservoir Operation for a basin in Kerala
A meeting to provide technical support for developing an
Integrated Reservoir Operation in the state of Kerala was
held on 31.01.2022. Chalakudy Basin in the State of
Kerala was selected to carry out this study. The meeting
was attended by officials of the World Bank, CWC, Japan
Water Agency, International Centre for Water Hazard and
Risk Management (ICHARM), Kerala WRD and Kerala State
Electricity Board.

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 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

IMCT visit of Sikkim

Various Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) are
constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for on-
the-spot assessment of the situation in the wake of the
floods/landslides damages in irrigation, drinking water,
embankment and flood control structures due to the
monsoon. CWC Officers are nominated to represent
DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti in these IMCTs.
During January, 2022, IMCT visited the flood-affected
state of Sikkim. They had meetings with District Officials Engineer, Investigation Circle, CWC, Gangtok was part
and visited the affected districts for assessing the of the Team and visited East Sikkim and North Sikkim
damage. Shri Kamal Kumar Jangid, Superintending District.
Financial Progress of Schemes as on Jan-2022
(Amount rounded-off in ₹ Crore & Specific to CWC’s component)
Sl. Expenditure
Scheme/Component Name BE 2021-22 Expenditure
No. (in %)
1. Development of Water Resources information System (DWRIS) 175.00 118.218 67.55
2. Investigation of Water Resources Development Schemes (IWRD) 12.00 5.429 45.24

3. Flood Management & Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) 27.32 7.236 26.49

4. Infrastructure Development (ID) Schemes 4.50 3.273 72.73

5. National Hydrology Project 23.905 7.901 33.05

6. Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase-II 25.00 53.36

Reservoir Monitoring
As of January 2022, CWC is monitoring live storage
status of 137 reservoirs of the country on a weekly
basis and is issuing a bulletin every Thursday. Out of
these reservoirs, 44 reservoirs have hydropower benefit
with an installed capacity of more than 60 MW. The
total live storage capacity of these 137 reservoirs is
175.367 BCM which is about 68.02% of the live storage
capacity of 257.812 BCM which is estimated to have
been created in the country.
As per the reservoir storage bulletin dated 27.01.2022,
the live storage available in these reservoirs is 116.112
BCM, which is 66% of the total live storage capacity of
13.340
these reservoirs. However, last year the live storage
available in these reservoirs for the corresponding
period was 113.767 BCM and the average of the last
10 years of live storage was 93.294 BCM. Thus, the
live storage available in 137 reservoirs as per
27.01.2022 Bulletin is 102% of the live storage of the
corresponding period of last year and 124% of storage
of the average of the last ten years. As per Table-01,
the overall storage position is better than the
corresponding period of last year in the country as a
whole and it is also better than the average storage of
the last ten years during the corresponding period.

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 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

Data Corner- Statement Showing Flood Damage for the year 2020 NR-Not Reported

Water Sector News Flood Situation for the Monsoon Season

As Polavaram project costs jump, Andhra CM seeks PM’s help (The 2021
Indian Express, 05.01.2022)
Ensure no untreated waste in discharged into river Ganga or its
tributary : NGT (Millennium Post, 06.01.2022)
UP tops Jal Ministry’s National Water Awards (The Indian Express,
08.01.2022)
Mekedatu : Now, Karjol releases documents to counter M B Patil
(Deccan Herald, 11.01.2022)
Extreme weather claimed 1,750 lives in India in 2021 (Millennium
Post, 15.01.2022)
Domestic sewage to blame for 80% of river pollution (Times of India,
18.01.2022)
Mekedatu : Govt. urged to step up efforts for NoC from CWC (The
Hindu, 19.01.2022)
River Linking - Spell out expectations from Centre on future course,
NWDA asks states (Millennium Post, 20.01.2022)
After 7 yrs of Namagi Gange, foreign model under consideration
(Morning Standard, 26.01.2022)
Condition of Mullaperiyar dam satisfactory, CWC tells top court (The
Hindu, 28.01.2022)

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 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

History- Machkund Hydro-Electric Project

After the independence, hydropower development in
Godavari Basin found immediate interest in the large
hydro-power resources of the Sabari basin where the
scale and costs of civil works involved and benefits were
in the tune of power demand. The Machkund Hydro-
Electric Project was one of the first such projects which
is an inter-state project between Andhra Pradesh and
Odisha. It is located in Koraput District of Odisha on the
Machkund River which forms the boundary between the
States.
Machkund River
The Machkund rises in the Visakhapatnam district of
Andhra Pradesh and takes a north-westerly course up to
the Duduma Falls where it drops down 550 ft. The river
is known as Sileru after its confluence with the Gurepo.
Bordering between the States during a part of its a pond;
subsequent course, it joins the Sabari at Motu which in a second tunnel 3,000 feet long;
its turn feeds the Godavari. In its course up to the a tank 50 feet in diameter which collects the
Duduma Falls, the Machkund collects water from an area water that surges back from the powerhouse in
of 858 sq. miles. the course of operation;
Background penstock pipes leading down to the powerhouse;
The field work and the preliminaries for the Project were and
started in October 1946. The surveys of the hydroelectric a powerhouse with 3 units of 17.25 MW
potential of Machkund/Sileru River were carried out in capacity each.
1929 and a comprehensive report was drawn up by Sir
Henry Howard, Chief Engineer, Electricity Department,
Madras State in 1931. Subsequently, the Machkund
Hydroelectric project was taken up in 1946 as a post-war
development scheme and as a joint venture of the then
composite Madras and Odisha states. With the formation
of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, the project became the joint
venture of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The scheme utilizes the waters of the Machkund River for
the development of hydropower at the Duduma Falls.
In the first stage, three units of 17 MW capacity each
were commissioned in 1955 and 1957. A net head of 245
m was available for the first stage. In the second stage,
three units of 21.250 MW capacity each were
commissioned in 1959. The net head available for the
Second stage was 255 m.

Layout
The scheme was worked out in stages. The initial stage
was comprised:
a dam at Jalaput on the Machkund river to store
ultimately 25,650 million cu. ft. of water.
a diversion dam across the river 17 miles below
Jalaput Dam and one and a half miles above the
Duduma Falls;
a channel 4,000 feet long skirting the hills;
a tunnel 4,116 feet long;
Jalaput Dam
The main storage dam is constructed at Jalaput, 2.4
km below the confluence of the Machkund and its
chief tributary; the Pathala. The masonry gravity dam
is 410 m long and has a maximum height of 50.7 m
above the foundation. It contained about 12.5 million
cubic feet of masonry. The free catchment area
intercepted is 1935 sq km. Initially, gross storage
capacity had been fixed at 726 MCM. Subsequently,

10
 CWC Newsletter-February 2022
the dam height was raised by 3m and the storage
capacity to 770 MCM. The dam was provided with
suitable devices for draining the water that may seep
through the dam, and smoothly and strongly jointed
with the hard rock of the hills on either side. Steel pipes
were embedded in the dam, for discharging water and
for developing power at the dam site. Two more pipes
are provided at a lower level for purposes of scouring
the reservoir from time to time.
Diversion Dam
The water impounded by the Jalaput Dam let into the
river and diverted into a channel at the diversion dam.
This dam is 315 m long and is a gravity type dam in solid
masonry with a central spillway 170 m long, designed to
pass a maximum flood discharge of 185,000 cusecs.
Two sluices, 12 ft. x 8 ft. each capable of a discharge of
1,000 cusecs each and the one scout sluice 12 ft. x 8 ft.
are located at the right flank. The masonry content of
this structure was about 2 million cubic feet. This
provides storage of 389 million cubic ft., and regulates
the flow into the turbines in the powerhouse lower
down.
Flume and Tunnels
The water diverted by the diversion dam drawn through
intake works and conducted partly along an open
concrete-lined flume about 4,000 feet long (including
334 ft. of an aqueduct) skirting the hill slopes on the
right bank of the river and partly through a tunnel about
4,000 feet in length and discharge into the Makkiput
valley where the water is collected in a pond formed by
building a small dam, called the Tunnel Pond Dam.
From the tunnel pond, water is conveyed through intake
works into a concrete-lined tunnel, approximately 3,000
feet long, shaped like a horse-shoe. It can discharge
1,800 cusecs.
Surge Tank
The tunnel ends in a surge shaft of 50 feet diameter and
74 feet high, a cylindrical vessel hollowed out of rock
and lined with concrete. From the surge shaft steel
pipes, each of 10 feet diameter are laid for a distance of
about 180 feet along a tunnel. These pipes pour the
water into a manifold, from which water is carried in
pipes of a different diameter directly to the turbines.
Penstocks
Six steel pipes of varying diameter, 63 to 57 inches and
each 1660 feet long, were taken down the hill slopes to
the turbines in the powerhouse.
Transportation Problems
The Machkuhd project site is located inside the Odisha
State boundary. The nearest port and railhead was
Visakhapatnail at a distance of 200-km. The road from
Visakhapatnam passed through difficult ghat sections,
presented a difficult transport problem. The
transformers were the heaviest packages and; their
transportation from Visakhapatnam to the project site
and down the haulage track of 37-degree slope to the
powerhouse site posed serious problems at the time of
erection. With the help of specially designed equipment
and specially trained personnel, these problems were
resolved.
Inter-state Agreement
Firstly, an agreement between the Government of
Madras and the Government of Odisha was made in the
year 1946 regarding the development of hydroelectric
power at the Duduma falls on the Machkund river.
Another agreement was signed on 18.07.1961 between
the two states. The representative of the Government of
Odisha claimed half the share of the additional power
potential created at the Machkund Hydro-Electric
projects as a result of raising the height of the Jalaput
Dam. They also indicated that they would be prepared to
pay half the additional cost of raising the height of the
Jalaput Dam by 10 feet. The project was worked jointly
by the Andhra Pradesh and the Odisha States, the capital
outlay and power being shared between the two in the
ratio of 70 to 30. Although jointly owned, it was
constructed under the direction and supervision of the
Andhra Pradesh Government Electricity Department for
the sake of administrative convenience. Later on, the
benefits of the project were shared in the equal portion
between the States.
Benefits
The power from the project encouraged the setting up of
many major mining, shipping and oil industries in the
Visakhapatnam area and various other industrial
enterprises in the coastal district of the State. It also
helped large-scale rural electrification in the coastal
district in those early days. This project is also a good
example of Inter-State cooperation in the field of water
resources development.
Source: Bhagirath
Waterfall Machkund
11
 CWC Newsletter-February 2022

Gallery
Republic Day Celebration
Faridabad

Dehradun

Pune

Patna Chennai

Virtual Meeting for review of the progress of ongoing projects during Visit of Chairman, CWC to proposed Ayodhya Barrage site with
January 2022 of Tillari irrigation Project, Goa was held under the reference to survey & investigation done by CWC and CWC HO site at
chairmanship of secretary, DoWR, RD&GR. Ayodhya during 14-15th January 2022.

An online event on “Rich Contribution of CWC in the field of Water The Monitoring team of CWC Regional Office, CWC Hyderabad visited
Quality in connection with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava” presented by the IrikiKunta minor irrigation tank in Asifabad District, Telangana state
J.Harsha, SE, HO & CC on 17.01.2022. on 11.01.2022

Central Water Commission
An attached office of Dept. of Water Resources,
River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,
Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India
Editorial Board
Dr. Samir Chatterjee, CE(HRM)- Editor-in-Chief
Shri Yogesh Paithankar, CE(PAO)- Member
Shri Ajay Kumar, Director(RMC)- Member
Shri S. K. Rajan, Director(TC)- Member
Designed & Published by
Water Systems Engineering Directorate
Central Water Commission
Shri Bhupinder Singh, Director(WP&P-C)- Member
Shri Sameer Kumar Jha, Director(WSE)- Member
Shri A. K. Madhok, DD(WSE)- Member
Shri R. K. Sharma, DD(D&R-Coordination)- Member
Shri Shiv Sunder Singh, DD(WSE)- Member-Secretary
2nd Floor(South), Sewa Bhawan, R K Puram, New Delhi-110 066
E-mail: media-cwc@gov.in

12 No. CWC/2022/37
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