TEHRI DAM

A report discussing on the socio-economic impacts and other concerning issues of Tehri Development Project

2009

Anant Maheshwari ISEM 9

12/14/2009

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Index

Tehri Dam : Project Description………………………………………………………………………………………………...3

Time Line for Tehri Dam…………………………………………………………………………………………………………....5

Why Tehri.......................................................................................................................................7

Positive Impacts of the Project.......................................................................................................8

Socio Economic Impacts of the Project........................................................................................11

Mitigating Measures Taken..........................................................................................................12

Other Concerning Issues...............................................................................................................15

References....................................................................................................................................17

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Tehri Dam : Project Description

Tehri Dam is the primary dam of the Tehri Development Project, a major hydroelectric project

centered near Tehri Town in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Located on the Bhagirathi River,

the principal tributary of the sacred

River Ganga, the Tehri Dam has a

height of 855 ft (261 m), making it the

5th tallest dam in the world.

There is another smaller dam 14 km

downstream at Koteshwar that will

produce 400 MW of electricity, and is

still considered part of the TDP hydroelectric plan.

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Other specifications of the project are as belows:

Earth & Rock Fill Dam : Type : Rock and Earth Fill Height : 260.5 m Base : 1128 m

Width at top : 25.5 m Length at the top : 592 m

Tehri Reservoir: Water Spread : 42 SQ KM Gross Storage : 3540 Miliion Cum Live Storage : 2615 Million Cum Power House: Power House : Under ground Cavern Size : 197mx24mx63m Type of Turbines : Francis Rated Head : 188 M

Speed : 214.3 RPM Installed Capacity : 4x250MW Annual Energy : 3568 MUs

Tehri Dam, Nov 2004

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Time Line for Tehri Dam

1949 Tehri dam conceived 1961 Tehri chosen as a tentative site for the dam 1972 Planning Commission gives its nod to the dam 1978 Actual construction of the dam begins under police protection; Protests gather momentum 1980 Environmental Appraisal Committee appointed by the government, refuses environmental clearance 1986 Diversion tunnels start operating; Protestors storm the site and stall construction work 1990 Environmental Appraisal Committee, the D R Bhumbla committee, rejects the dam again 1991 Earthquake measuring 6.6 on Richter scale rocks Uttarkashi. Renewed concerns about the seismic safety of the dam. 1992 Sunderlal Bahuguna goes on a fast unto death. Work on the dam temporarily stopped. Gain in 1995 1996 Government sets up the V K Gaur committee to look into seismic safety 1997 Hanumantha Rao committee on rehabilitation submits its report. Recommends major changes in rehabilitation policy 1998 Gaur committee submits its report. Asks for detailed analysis 1999 Chamoli earthquake, measuring 6.8, brings large scale destruction. Anti-dam activists up in arms about safety 1999 Committee of secretaries of the Union government clears dam JANUARY 2001 Bhuj earthquake again raises concerns APRIL 2001 Government forms another committee under the S&T minister Murli Manohar Joshi NOVEMBER 2002 M M Joshi committee submits its report. Says the dam is safe to withstand an earthquake of high magnitude

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SEPTEMBER 2003 In a divided verdict, the Supreme Court clears the legal hurdles for dam construction MARCH 2004 Tunnel T2 closed. Water level rises to 648 metres submerging many parts of old Tehri town JULY 29, 2004 Water level rises to 655 metres submerging the remaining parts of the Tehri town. Residents flee for their lives AUGUST 2004 Internal landslide at the dam site. 29 workers dead

2006 Tehri town fully submerges. First stage of project completes. (Total production 1000 MW)

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Why Tehri ?

Advantages of Hydro Power :

Hydro power is a pollution free renewable source of energy Hydro power is the cheapest source of energy. Permits quick response to load changes and ideally suited for peaking power. Provides load stability to the system.

India’s Hydro Potential Vis-À-Vis Need for Tehri:

Total economic hydro potential 84000 mw. Presently exploited 21% Only few storage sites are available in India. With 90% of rainfall in about thirty days storage dams on a river system are a must for

optimal utilization. No storage site available on Ganga Tehri only suitable site.

Tehri Dam: Top View

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Positive Impacts of the Tehri Dam Project

Benefits to the Nation/ Region:

2400 MW of environment friendly Peaking Power (6532 MU of Annual Energy) – 1000 MW (3532 MU of Annual Energy) in Stage-I. This is bound to lead to industrial and agricultural growth in the Northern Region.

12% power free to home state, apart from Power as per their share, where distress is

caused by setting up the project at the specific site.

Additional energy form downstream run-off-the river schemes.

Irrigation of 2.7 lakh ha. of new area, besides stabilization of irrigation in already irrigated 6.0 lakh ha.

300 cusecs (162 million Gallons per day) of water supply to Delhi, which will meet

drinking water need of 4 million people.

200 cusecs (108 million gallons per day) of water supply to UP which will meet drinking water need of about 3 million people.

The project would lead to all round development of the region through better

infrastructure and easy availability of electricity, particularly peak time power.

Flood moderation during monsoon by way of storage of excess water.

Development of pisciculture.

Integrated development of the catchment area including afforestation and soil conservation of 52,204 ha. of severely eroded land.

With the formation of lake, presence of various types of fisheries, water liking birds and

certain species of wild life has been noticed.

Benefits to the Affected Population:

Development of Hill Station: For shifting of old Tehri Town a new modern town named as New Tehri Town (NTT) has been developed at a height of 1550-1850 m. above MSL which is at height almost similar to

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that of Mussorrie. This town has all modern facilities. After the formation of reservoir lake, this town which overlook the lake has become a beautiful hill station. This will attract tourism.

Better Road Network:

Due to construction of Project, roads of the area have been widened and improved which made communication easier and comfortable. The bridges namely Zero bridge, Siyansu bridge, Pipaldali bridge have been made, which has resulted in reduction of journey time.

Education:

For shifting of educational institutions of Old Tehri Town, larger buildings with modern facilities were constructed so that more number of students can be accommodated.

In most of the educational institutions, Hostel facilities for 860 students have been provided.

Against existing degree college running in Old Tehri Town, a degree college and a big university campus have been constructed at Badshahithaul which can accommodate 400 residential students and also the teaching staff.

Health:

Against 22 bed Hospital of Old Tehri, 75 bed Hospital have been constructed at New Tehri Town, with modern medical facilities. In addition, 5 numbers Primary Health Centers with indoor treatment facilities (totaling to 70 beds) have been constructed at Project cost.

To provide hygienic conditions, treated water is supplied to houses and a central sewerage treatment plant have been constructed with a properly designed network of sewer lines connecting houses and other buildings of the town.

Electrification: For improving electricity distribution system in nearby rural areas, 3 nos. 33 KV substations have been constructed and network of LT/HT transmission lines have also been made at project cost.

Drinking Water Facilities: 54 numbers drinking water schemes in rural areas and New Tehri town have been constructed and made operational at Project cost. They shall now be operated and maintained by respective agencies.

Setting of New Industries: The New Tehri Town is very suitable for setting up of Non-pollutive Industries due to its better climate and excellent communication facilities. As the power is now easily available after the construction of dam, more factories are likely to come up as NTT has excellent infrastructure as well.

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Tourism:

The New Tehri Town is a pre-planned hill town with all modern facilities. Hence, it is expected to develop as a major tourist hill station in near future.

By creation of lake due to the impoundment of the reservoir of Tehri Dam, scope for water sports will be there.

In the master plan, areas have been earmarked for resorts, which are expected to provide facilities for comfortable stay of tourists.

Due to wider and improved roads, communication has become easier which is very important for development of tourism.

Due to tourism development, Hotel Industry in the area will increase, which will further help the local people in getting employment.

Commercial Centre: New Tehri Town market is developing as a market for adjoining towns/villages in the region and is expected to come up as a nodal commercial centre in the region because of its vocational advantage and better infrastructure facilities like roads, telecommunication and properly designed shopping centre. The shops area is also larger and made of RCC structure and have greater storage capacities for goods.

New Tehri Town

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Socio Economic Impacts of the Project

The Project has identified both positive and negative impacts. Efforts were made to get full advantage of positive impacts by formulating suitable schemes. As we know that dam is essentially an artificial wall constructed across a river which converts a running water ecosystem into a lake type ecosystem. This causes some changes in basic river line ecosystem. Therefore, thorough studies were got conducted for the likely negative impacts of dam and its reservoir, through expert agencies. Mitigating measures, where necessary, were taken on likely negative impacts.

Likely change in the water chemistry, especially with respect to dissolved oxygen and turbidity of water.

Likely impact on biodiversity, i.e., flora and fauna of the area.

Likely obstruction of movements of migrating fish species during breeding season.

Rivers carry a lot of sediment, which on construction of a dam, will be locked up behind the

dam wall. The collected silt in the reservoir eats away the capacity of the reservoir.

Likely impact of water accumulation on the upstream side of the dam, which causes inundation of land including forest-land.

Since 109 villages (full or partial) and Tehri town (full) were affected and the residents were

to vacate their ancestral homes and agricultural fields, a scheme was prepared, to resettle these people, with the idea to improve their living standard, keeping their social bonds intact.

Likely problem of water-logging and salinity of the land in the command area.

More than 18,000 families and about 97,000 people were affected by the project.

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Mitigating Measures Taken on Assessed Impacts

Measures For Ecological Impacts:

Compensatory Afforestation: Forest land of 4193.813 ha. were diverted for construction of Tehri Dam Project and Koteshwar Project (in the downstream of Tehri Project). This forest-land included the land used in construction of Project, Project colonies, resettlement colonies and filling of reservoir. Against this, Project has completed the compensatory afforestation in an area of 4586.07 ha in Lalitpur and Jhansi District.

Catchment Area Treatment:

In order to reduce soil erosion (for reducing sedimentation in the reservoir), the Tehri Project had completed the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) in the entire degraded catchment, in areas of ‘High’ and ‘Very High’ erosion class. The total degraded area treated is 52,204 ha. The CAT works included the works of afforestation, soil conservation, treatment of agriculture land, farm forestry, horticulture etc. The main objective of CAT works was to check soil erosion and resultant siltation in the reservoir.

Command Area Development:

Command Area Development Plan had been implemented by the Irrigation Departments of the State Governments of Uttarakhand and U.P. In order to mitigate the likely problem of water-logging and salinity, the network of field channels and drains were developed. The canal networks are utilized to irrigate 2.7 lac ha. additional area as well as stabilize existing irrigation area in 6.04 lac ha.

Flora: In CAT works, the species as recommended by Botanical Survey of India (BSI), based on their flora study of the area, have been planted. A Botanical Garden in an area of 14.28 ha. has also been established and plantation of special species coming under submergence has been completed, so as to preserve important flora of the region.

Fauna: Faunal studies were got conducted through Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), for fauna affected due to formation of reservoir. As per ZSI studies there will be no adverse impact on mammals, birds and reptiles. As suggested in the study report by ZSI, the periphery of the reservoir have been suitably planted by bushes, shrubs and trees to attract migratory birds and other animals.

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Measures For Social Impacts:

Better Quality of Living: In order to achieve the objective of ‘better quality of life’ following steps were taken through R&R programme. The idea is to ensure that settlers are provided opportunities to become established and economically self sustaining in shortest possible period.

a. Urban:

Better quality of living. Urban population was provided better facilities like better and wider road network, sewerage system, hospital with enhanced capacity, stadium and other amenities, scope for expansion, planned growth.

Larger school buildings with hostel accommodation will enable their management to enhance their capacities. A larger University campus has been constructed in addition to a college keeping in view the future needs of the region.

More employment opportunities due to high tourism potential and industries likely to come up due to excellent infrastructure available in NTT(New Tehri Town) and surrounding areas.

100 economically backward and houseless persons now have free housing at NTT, of which they would become owners.

b. Rural:

The all round development of the area would lead to prosperity, better infrastructure and better quality of life.

New road network and taped drinking water supply save the time of people which can be utilized for other works.

Due to the increase in land holding, i.e., against the existing less than 1 acre average rain fed land holding, to the allotted 2 acres well irrigated and developed land, yield and total income is expected to increase.

Landless agricultural labours have also become owners of 2 acres of agricultural land and independent houses.

People who will not be shifted (above the reservoir level) shall be benefited due to Catchment Area Treatment, tourism, fishery development and horticulture, apart from infrastructural development.

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Employment & Income Generating Schemes:

For employment in the THDC, preference was given to the dependents of the project affected families, particularly in the category of workmen & supervisors, subject to vacancies and their meeting the necessary laid down qualifications and experience requirements.

In order to provide gainful employment to the local population, THDC awarded small value contracts to the local people.

For treatment and soil conservation work in the Catchment Area, the forest and other concerned departments, have employed more persons.

With a view to encourage the dispossessed families taking to useful vocations, like poultry farming, floriculture, pisciculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, khadi work etc. the Government agencies have taken up various self employment / income generating schemes.

Organized awareness camps were organized so that PAPs should come forward as rural entrepreneurs. The group invited the officials of various State/Central Government agencies like Khadi Village & Industry Commission, State Horticulture & Food Preservation Deptt., State Sericulture Deptt., State Fisheries Deptt., Lead bank & Poultry Deptt., etc. During these camps detailed knowledge about various existing schemes, training activities, loaning procedure etc. were given.

In order to create additional source of income for PAPs one Khadi productioncum training center was opened by Khadi Village & Industry Commission (KVIC).

Training centers for ladies in tailoring and embroidery work were established. The centers

have been strengthened and expanded by providing sewing machines, knitting machines, typing machines, multipurpose peeko and fashion designing machines and raw material.

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Other Concerning Issues

Obselete Dam Design and Seismic Risk: The Tehri dam site lies in one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions with several fault lines traversing the project area.1 The design of the dam was finalized in the 1960s when scientific understanding of seismic hazards and seismic engineering solutions were far less advanced than today. The Tehri Dam is sited in the ‘Central Himalayan Seismic Gap,’ an area where an extreme earthquake event is overdue. The dam is not adequately equipped to withstand earthquakes of the magnitude expected during its life span. Dr. Vinod Gaur, former director of the National Geophysical Research Institute of India and member of the Environmental Appraisal Committee that investigated the project on behalf of the government, has strong reservations as to the safety of the dam. Tehri was designed to withstand earthquakes of 7.2 on the Richter scale, while Dr. Gaur and other international experts expect earthquakes of 8.5 and more in this region. One of the leading seismologists in the world, Professor James Brune, has described Tehri as “one of the most dangerous dams world-wide.” Even ICOLD, the International Lobby Organization of the Dam Industry, categorizes the location of Tehri as “extremely hazardous”.

Forced Resettlement: Because no official resettlement plan has ever been prepared, it is difficult to know how many people are directly and indirectly affected by the reservoir. Officially, the project sponsor THDC puts the number at 67,500 project-affected people. The 1990 Environmental Impact Assessment for the project, however, puts the official number at 97,000. What is clear, is that the majority of those affected have not yet been resettled and the present resettlement sites face enormous problems. After so many years of construction, there is still no resettlement plan for the project-affected people. Some cash compensation has been paid to some project-affected people, others have been given new houses, and the rest have been given nothing. Among those officially recognized, only half of the fully-affected, and very few of the partially-affected families have been resettled. In most cases, the land allotted is of poor quality or with multiple ownership claims. Data issued by the resettlement agency in March 2001 shows only 28% of the project affected people had been resettled overall and approximately 50% of the people of Tehri Town had been resettled.

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The Poor Subsidizing the Rich: Villages upstream of the dam have been denied permission to draw drinking water from the river, since India's Central Water Commission maintains that river water must be reserved for the dam. Sunderlal Bahuguna, one of India's leading environmentalists and winner of the Right Livelihood Award, argues that the project will amount to a massive transfer of water from the Himalayan region to New Delhi, where the average per capita consumption of water is 250 liters per day as compared to 10 liters per day for the villagers of the Tehri region. “The Tehri project is stealing from the poor to subsidize the rich,” says Sunderlal Bahuguna.

Financial Viability Issues: A cost-benefit analysis by the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage (INTACH) came to the conclusion that the costs of the US$2.5 billion project will be at least twice as high as the expected benefits. In INTACH's words, Tehri is “an enormous squandering of public money”. The estimated cost of Tehri Dam went up from US$612 million in 1994 to US$1.2 billion in 1999 and US$ 2.5 billion in 2006. The 1990 environmental appraisal by the Ministry of Environment predicted the useful life of the dam will be reduced to 30-40 years, from the projected 100 years, due to the huge volume of sediment that will be trapped in its reservoir.

Violation of International Laws: The Tehri Dam violates multiple international standards for involuntary resettlement, environmental review as well as basic engineering good practice. It flies in the face of the recommendations made by the World Commission on Dams. No alternatives were examined, affected people were excluded from the decision-making process, there is no resettlement plan for the up to 100,000 people affected, and the engineering design has been widely criticized by experts. Among other basic studies and plans not conducted for the Tehri Dam are downstream impacts, reservoir rim stability, water quality, health impacts, and disaster risk assessment and management plans.

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References

http://www.euttaranchal.com/uttaranchal/highlight/tehri_dam.php

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage

&pid=143&page=14

http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2004/06/08/oko-dam/

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20060115&filename=news

&sid=35&page=1&sec_id=7

http://www.flonnet.com/fl2225/stories/20051216000206900.htm

http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in

http://www.internationalrivers.org/files/TehriFactsheet2002.pdf

http://ahec.org.in/links/water4welfare