Er. Kishore Chandra Panda	SUGGESTION FOR POLAVARM -By Er. Kishore Chandra Panda
Blog	Posted By: hindtodaynews on:11/2/2010 10:58:50 PM

( Er. Kishore Chandra Panda )

Sileru water on down stream of Machhkund hydel joint project was allowed by Odisha to Ex-Madras State, Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) territory subsequently, for power development in inter-state Machhkund power agreement dt.16^thJan 1945. It was revised based upon prevailing condition on intervention of premier Nehru by distributing the water to 50:50 share between Odisha & A.P. from proposed Balimela reservoir in Odisha territory by inter-state agreement dt.4^th Sept.1962. The contemplated Polavaram reservoir water from Odihsa, A.P, Chhatishgarh submerges part territory of the three states as well as displacement & environmental impact. At present there is power shortage in Odisha & Chhatishgarh. This back ground innovates right to power share by Odisha & Chhatishgarh from Polavaram.

High back water level of proposed Polavarm reservoir causes displacement said to be more than Narmada project which is well known for its disturbances on displacement. The local people and prominent persons in & around oppose this project causing vast submergence, displacement without consent of affected village councils & false information by A.P. on forest rights Act, 2006. They urge to cancel forest clearance by centre in environment and forests ministry letter dt 28^th July, 2006 over and above Odisha’s petition in Supreme Court challenging the forest clearance. The 30km bund proposed to protect territory of Odisha & Chhatishgarh shall not be viable (THE HINDU, Vishakhpatnam dt 29^thSept.6^thOct. 2010). The rainwater from uplands on countryside shall flow into protected area at lower level. It shall not drain to its parent drainage river tributary at high back water level after formation of reservoir there by submergence in protected area causing extensive displacement. Therefore the present proposal is not viable technically.

The project shall be viable by commissioning stand-by turbine strength over and above turbine strength required for power generation from daily average run-off at reservoir water head close to minimum draw down level in rainy season. Thus the reservoir space above it shall accommodate & utilise flood flow to a large extent to generate additional power there by less flood discharge. In addition to the above it shall be also necessary to identify & complete reservoirs ahead to Polavaram reservoir in its catchment including already identified projects in charmpally and lower Machhkund. These reservoirs shall reserve and utilise flood to a large extent to give additional power. The above technical aspects by combined reservoir operation schedule shall reduce flood discharge corresponding to low back water level in Polavaram reservoir, additional power for the three states & additional ayacut beneficial to A.P there by the project shall be attractive besides minimizing oustees to settle in the ayacut so, advised by premier Mrs. Gandhi (may be at Bangalore) on rehabilitation from river valley projects.

Hon’ble Prime Minister’s intervention committed by virtue of its dedicated role to stop construction activity by A.P & to restore it by inter-state agreement is urgent.

(The writer is a retired Chief Engineer, Govt. of Orissa )