JOIN USWork on Almatti dam renovation in full swing
The renovation of the Almatti reservoir taken up with World Bank assistance is in full swing. The work on the dam, which can impound 123 tmc ft of water, was completed in 2000.
The objective of the renovation is to increase storage capacity of the reservoir and to ensure zero water seepage, according to C Anantharam, the Chief Engineer of the dam. He said state-of-the-art technology, special cement and chemicals were being utilised for the renovation. The work is being executed in four packages, at a total cost of Rs 72 crore. With the onset of monsoons, the inflow into the reservoir is set to increase and hence, renovation work is being executed day and night.
Giving details of the work, Executive Engineer M G Sajjanara and Assistant Engineer H C Narendra said that in the first package, grouting of the reservoir surface, closing of cracks, re-drilling of foundation holes and other maintenance works have been taken up at a cost of Rs 22 crore. A grout mixture containing special cement will be spread over the reservoir surface at a fixed pressure to seal cracks and pores. This would help prevent water seepage.
A huge quantity of water is released into the river from 26 crest gates of the dam.
The spillway will be strengthened using a special cement and modern technology.
Chemicals imported from Germany, chlorine-resistants are being used for the concrete surface of the spillway. The estimated cost of the second package is Rs 15 crore. The rejoining of the mud embankment of the dam is being executed in the third package, at a cost of Rs 15 core. The work has been taken up in view of security concerns. The floor area on which reservoir water spills into the river is being modernised under the fourth package, at a cost of Rs 21 crore.
The Central Water Commission has formulated Drip-Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) for modernisation of reservoirs in the country. The World Bank is financing the project and the work is being executed in conformity with the international standards laid down by the World Bank. Sajjanar said that World Bank experts, who inspected the renovation work, had expressed their satisfaction with the quality.