The Hindu : New Delhi News : Water from Tehri dam for Delhi still doubtful

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Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Water from Tehri dam for Delhi still doubtful

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 24. Whether Delhiites will start receiving potable water from the Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant from this coming summer still remains a million dollar question. Though the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Mohan, today hoped that water supply from Tehri dam would commence from June onwards, reports from Uttaranchal and a survey conducted by some social organisations has revealed that the water level in the dam is very low and there is only a distant possibility of the water reaching Delhi in the near future.

Stating that the present 80 cusecs water that the plant had been receiving from the Upper Ganga Canal for the flushing of plant was being given by Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Mohan said there was no need for a separate agreement with the Uttaranchal Government as the Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant was planned only after 300 cusecs water for running the plant was committed from the Tehri Hydro Project.

"A techno economical clearance for the same was given by the Central Electricity Authority in August 1998 while the then Delhi Government had agreed to share the proportionate cost of the construction of the dam and its subsequent maintenance," he informed, adding that water would start flowing into the plant gradually and amount being supplied would also depend on rain and availability of water in the reservoir.

The Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, was in touch with her counterparts in Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh to see that all issues were settled amicably and immediately.

However, a survey conducted by NGO -- Paani Morcha -- in collaboration with five other organisations in the Bhagirathi basin, has stated that the "low" flow of the river is affecting the Tehri dam project. The reservoir was not filling up despite the fact that three of the four tunnels of the dam had been closed. There was only a very small lake there right now. It seems that due to the sedimentary nature of the mountains, sub-surface flows had started and the river was flowing in its aquifers around and below the Tehri dam, the study said.

On questions regarding the technology being used in the plant, Mr. Mohan said the scheme for 140 MGD water treat plant at Sonia Vihar was approved by the DJB in 2000. Bidders were pre-qualified through engagement for technical experts. The bids for the plant were duly evaluated through an expert technical team that had taken account in all respects of technology solutions that were being evaluated.

"The technology of the plant has an advantage over the conventional technology in terms of substantially lower water losses in treatment process, compact design giving over 45 per cent saving on land, lower consumption of chemicals, faster filtration process and ease of maintenance. So technology being adopted is world-class and efficient for present circumstances," he asserted.

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