Polavaram Irrigation Project: Dam review postponed, panel meet in January-end

While the civil works related to the project have gained momentum, there are about 30 designs pending to be approved.

VIJAYAWADA: The meeting of the dam design review panel (DDRP), which was to meet this week to discuss the approval of pending designs of various components of Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP) and other aspects, is learnt to have been pushed to a later date. The panel is likely to meet in a week or two, officials said.[Readmore]

Allegations based on erroneous interpretation of CWPRS report on impact of Pune Metro on Mutha River: Maha-Metro

A day after activists accused the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) of misleading the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the impact of Pune Metro on Mutha river in order to get clearance for an elevated 1.45 km route, the Maha-Metro said Tuesday that the allegations are based on erroneous interpretation of the Central Water Power Research Station (CWPRS)’s study report.

In a press statement, Maha-Metro said the construction work of Metro piers along the left bank of the Mutha river is being executed under the supervision of the expert committee appointed by the NGT under the divisional commissioner. The matter is sub-judice with the NGT.[Readmore]

Pune metro: Maha-Metro claims reported values of CWPRS report “far from truth”

Some activists including Rajya Sabha MP Vandana Chavan, Anu Aga, Sarang Yadwadkar held a press conference and raised a concern over rising water levels due to ongoing metro work in the Mutha river

As activist and political leaders raised concern over the flood level, Maha Metro issued a press statement on Tuesday. (HT PHOTO)

The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha-Metro) blamed the media and activists for exaggerating the figures mentioned in the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) report.

Maha Metro issued the press statement on Tuesday and claimed, “The flood levels would increase very normally due to metro work, but to ensure citizens, Mahametro would present and discuss the CWPRS report with an expert committee during the forthcoming meeting under the chairmanship of divisional commissioner.”[Readmore]

CWPRS, Pune agrees to prepare feasibility report for Udupi Marina project 

UDUPI: The much touted Marina project proposed near Dariya Bahadurgad landmass off Padukere beach here received a boost with Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune agreeing to prepare a feasibility report. 

In a communique to the secretary of Mangaluru based coastal development authority, CWPRS while indicating that the study will be carried out in five phases, stated preliminary estimate for the study will be around Rs 85-lakh. 

CWPRS scientists in the communique stated that the studies that will be carried out are mathematical model studies for wave tranquillity, for shoreline changes, for hydrodynamics and sedimentation as well as desk and wave flume studies for the design of breakwater and field data collection and analysis – all for the development of the Marina. Incidentally, the authority has earmarked Rs 1 crore for the proposed feasibility report. [Readmore]

Andhra Pradesh: PPA intensifies efforts for approval of pending designs of Polavaram head works 

Polavaram Project Authority (PPA), Water Resources Department officials have paid special attention to complete the Polavaram project by the deadline and making efforts to expedite the approval of 30 pending designs for the construction of the reservoir from the CWC. The studying the design. A team of PPA officials is going to Pune on Monday to look into the study and send the design to the CWC. 

The DDRP (Dam Design Review Panel) will hold a meeting at the Polavaram project and the contractor (agency), the State Water Resources Department, will approve the designs pending with the CWPRS and send them to the CWC. The government aims to complete the project within the stipulated deadline by approving the pending designs by February. It is learned that CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who inspected the works of the Polavaram project at the field level on December 14, directed the authorities to approve the pending designs by February and complete the project strategically by 2022 kharif. [Readmore]

India-China Hydropower Battle: Who Will Win?

Despite these concerns, India has a lot of potential when it comes to renewables, especially hydropower. As per the Centre for Science and Environment, the North East has the potential to switch to 100% renewable.

The year 2020 saw multiple instances of standoff between China and India, primarily in the Leh-Laddakh region. The two countries have had a stream of differences on border issues, including the North East, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. There is speculation that the fight now has gone beyond the actual battlefield to energy infrastructure and water supply, with hydropower at the forefront.

Recently, China announced it is working on a massive hydropower project as a part of its 14th Five Year Plan (2021-25) in Medog county of Tibet. In the last week of November 2020, the president of Power Construction Corporation of China, which is a Chinese government-owned company, announced plans to develop a hydroelectric project of mammoth proportions of up to 60 Gigawatts (GW). This project will be executed on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo river, commonly known as the Brahmaputra river in India.[Readmore]

Polavaram Hydro Electric Project, Andhra Pradesh

Polavaram hydroelectric project (PHEP), also known as Indira Sagar project, is a 960MW multi-purpose project being constructed on the Godavari River near Polavaram village in the East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Polavaram hydroelectric project (PHEP), also known as Indira Sagar project, is a 960MW multi-purpose project being constructed on the Godavari River near Polavaram village in the East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.[Read More]