Physical Construction WorkÂ
Tunneling
Poor rock quality is delaying excavation
progress for the headrace tunnel |
The excavation of the various tunnels that comprise the Project has been slower than anticipated due to the poor quality of rocks encountered. Work on all the adits has been completed and some 12 km of the total 20 km of tunnels is now complete, but this is slower than the 15 km that was expected to have been completed by September 2009. The most critical stretch is a 3 km-length of the headrace tunnel (the tunnel that carries the water from the river to the powerhouse) between Goshai and Kasholi adits where the excavation contractor is likely to encounter poor rock conditions.
SJVN, in consultation with the civil works contractor and the World Bank, is working on finalizing an Acceleration Plan with a combination of measures to achieve the earlier rate of excavation progress. On the Bank’s recommendation, the company has also retained the services of a Tunneling Advisory Board -- comprising international tunneling and rock mechanic experts -- to help improve progress. SJVN is also planning to deploy a twin-cutter to hasten excavation in some stretches of the head-race tunnel.
Powerhouse and surge-shaft works
Some 98 percent of excavation for the powerhouse has been completed and work on the penstocks (the pipes that carry the water from the headrace tunnel to the turbines) is progressing satisfactorily. Work on the 150 m-deep surge shaft is also on schedule and the pilot hole has been widened up to a depth of 69 meters.
Electro-mechanical works
Turbine model being tested |
Turbine model tests have been completed. Delays in the excavation works due to poor geology will impact the schedule of electro-mechanical works as well. SJVNL is in the process of updating the overall project schedule.
Environment Management
The debris is being disposed off carefully so as to ensure that no muck falls into the river |
The overall progress on environmental management at the project is moderately satisfactory. Several construction-related environmental management measures such as disposal of debris generated by the construction activities; pollution control; solid waste disposal; health, safety and sanitation awareness are being implemented satisfactorily. Independent monitoring the environment of the project area has also been initiated. However, some inadequate muck disposal practices were observed near Bayal village and the Bank and SJVNL have agreed on immediate actions to rectify the situation. SJVNL has also begun work on a pilot project aimed at reclaiming a muck disposal site and restoring its landscape.
Regarding the compensatory afforestation and catchment area treatment (CAT) plans, work has been initiated by the government agencies who will be implementing the various activities. In order to facilitate speedy work, the state Forest Department has agreed that SJVNL will undertake some of the soil and moisture conservation activities proposed under the CAT plan. Procedures for these are being finalized.
On-site Safety
All efforts are being made to ensure the safety of workers excavating the main water-carrying tunnel |
The construction of tunnels is difficult and requires careful attention to safety rules and guidelines. In addition to equipping workers with safety gear, SJVNL is putting stringent safety systems in place that include emergency response training; controlling and monitoring blasting for excavating tunnels; and technical measures for preventing accidental rockfalls. SJVNL is also in the process of renewing the contract of the international safety adviser and also hiring a national safety expert who will visit the Project site regularly to review its safety measures and plans.
Land Acquisition and Resettlement and Rehabilitation
The resettlement colony at Averi |
The 29.86 hectares of private land needed for the Project has been acquired and compensation paid to all 208 land-owners. Of these, the 37 families who will be left with less than five
bighas of land after the Project acquires their land have also received from SJVNL the additional rehabilitation grants they were entitled to.
The state government of Himachal Pradesh has declared 19 families as being displaced by the Rampur project. Out of these, 15 families have been given plots of land to construct new homes. Plots are being selected for the other four families, who have been recently declared as also having been displaced. Thirteen of the 15 families who were allotted plots have already constructed their new houses and SJVNL has provided them all basic amenities with the exception of street lighting, the contract for which has been slightly delayed. The remaining two families have chosen not to begin construction yet.
Local Area Development
Candidates from the project-affected
area who were sponsored by SJVNL
for skills training at the ITIs |
As part of its attempt to improve the quality of lives of the people living in the Rampur project’s vicinity, SJVNL has launched an intensive local area development scheme. Small community infrastructure facilities -- like footbridges and footpaths, street lighting and drinking water supply -- have been completed in various villages. In addition, Rs. 100 million has been provided for the construction of a bus station and a senior secondary school in the area. SJVNL has also opened a medical dispensary in village Bayal, the site of the proposed powerhouse. The company has also financed a health van that does the rounds of the eight project-affected villages, taking basic healthcare to the people’s doorstep.
To further help local people acquire skill-sets that will allow them to improve their incomes, SJVNL has sponsored 140 candidates from the project affected area for receiving technical education at the state Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). SJVNL has also provided scholarships to 31 meritorious students. The Project has also ensured that local petty contractors also get a share of the work being done and small works – such as community development works -- worth Rs 68 million have been awarded to project-affected people and others in the local community. In addition, 190 people from the affected villages have also found employment with the civil works’ contractors.
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