Process to fill decanting chamber at Kol Dam begins

Our Correspondent

Sundernagar, February 8

To test the systems at the 800-MW Koldam Project Power House and conduct trials of four turbines of the project, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) authorities have started filling the structure of Rs 158-crore decanting chamber. This is being done by lifting water from the main reservoir (ie from the level of 602 m to 636 m) through pumps. The job has been assigned to a private contractor.

The NTPC had started the impounding of the dam (situated on the border of Mandi district) in November 2014 from the level of 510 m, which was earlier unsuccessful. When the level will reach 636 m, it will start producing electricity by running one turbine.

A visit to the site revealed that the authorities had already started filling in the decanting chamber well in advance by using pumps that were lifting water from main reservoir in the chamber (from 602 m up 636 m). The work was started seven days back.

Parveen Bharti, PRO, Kol Dam, said the whole process was being done for the purpose of testing system and trial running of machines so that time could be saved.

The officials concerned remained tightlipped as to why they were not adopting the natural process to fill the chamber.

On the other hand, an expert from the HPSEB said such practices were noticed for the first time in any hydro project.