M A I N   N E W S

Ropar plant to close for 2 days
Escape channel walls sinking; repairs needed
By Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, Sept 24 — The 1260 MW local thermal plant will go off steam for at least two days in the first week of October for an important repair work in the “collapsing” out-fall of the plant’s escape channel. The channel is used for draining out water from the plant.

The two retaining walls of the out-fall have tilted inwards and sunk one feet posing a threat to the concrete structure. The water-gushing out from the escape channel, has scoured the floor of the out-fall structure creating a cavity in the foundation of the retaining walls resulting in their tilting and sinking.

The escape channel is one of the most significant parts of the plant. The thermal authorities draw about 900 cusecs of water from the Nangal Hydel Channel for “plant cooling”. Out of this 750 cusecs is drained out through the escape channel after cycling through machines in the plant.

Informed official sources confided in The Tribune that as per the schedule approved by the PSEB authorities concerned, all units of the plant will remain shut for at least 45 hours from 9.30 p.m. on October 6 to 6.30 p.m. on October 8. The shutdown period may be extended to five days as the civil design department of the PSEB and civil engineers are of the opinion that repair work will take longer than expected.

Senior officers of the PSEB have held meetings with the thermal plant authorities in this connection. A senior functionary of the Board told TNS that the exact volume of repairs to be carried out at the out-fall structure could only be estimated only after the water flow into the escape channel is closed. He said some measures like filling of the cavity with concrete blocks had already been taken but closing of the plant had become necessary because of the tilting and sinking of the retaining walls. When The Tribune team visited the site, a crane was busy unloading concrete blocks in the cavity.

The six units of the plant have the capacity to generate about three crore units of power worth Rs 6 crore daily if operated at the optimum level. At present four units are functioning. Even if the plant remains shut for two days, the generation loss to the PSEB will be worth eight crore.

The structure was constructed about 15 years ago. Civil engineers say “it is a case of design failure”. The shape of the out-fall is not properly designed. Proper “ flare” has not been given to the retaining walls. For bearing the impact of the gushing water flowing out of the escape channel, adequate width had been provided at the end part of the out-fall. A top class private firm had provided the design of the structure.

Sources say cracks in the retaining walls were noted in 1997 and the authorities concerned were told to carry out the repair work. But at that time due to certain reasons, the authorities concerned did not agree to close the plant for carrying out the required repair work.

The BBMB authorities, which have a control over the Nangal Hydel Channel, and the Punjab Government authorities have been intimated about the closure of the plant for two days. Intimation has been given to the BBMB authorities to utilise the water, spared due to closure of the thermal plant, for enhancing the power generation at the Bhakra Dam.

The PSEB, according to sources, will buy power from National Thermal Power Corporation and National Hydel Power Corporation to cover the deficit caused by the closure of the local thermal plant.