SONGAD SHP DPR

CHAPTER 5

INTRODUCTION

5.1 LOCATION
The proposed Songad small hydro project with an installed capacity of 7000 KW
has its diversion site on the river Songad which is about 4 km upstream of the
bridge over the river on NH-108 before the Sukhi village. The power house is
located 10 m approximately above the full reservoir level of the proposed Lohari
Nagpal (600 MW). The weir, intake along with the major length of water
conductor system are located on the left bank and PH on right bank of Songad.
The proposed power house is located about 100 m upstream of the bridge on the
river located on the NH-108 Uttarkashi-Bhatwari-Gangotri National Highway. The
scheme proposes utilization of water for power generation purposes. The bed
level of the river at the diversion weir site is 2365.0 m (MSL) and the altitude at
power house site is 2162.0 m (MSL). The water conductor system consists of on
intake chamber, power duct, desilting tank, power pipe (600 m long), forebay
penstock pipe. At lower end penstock crosses and and goes to the power house
located on right bank of Songad with power house located about 100 meter.
From the bridge over Songad on NH-108 Uttarkashi to Gangotri Highway.

5.2 CLIMATIC CONDITION

The climate is subtropical monsoon type with mild winter and hot summer. About
75% annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season of June to September,
July being the wettest month. Rainfall during November is the least. About 17%
of rainfall occurs during the four winter months. The winter precipitation is in
association with the passage of western disturbances and is mostly in the form of
snowfall, especially at higher elevations. The precipitation during pre-monsoon
months accounts for about 7% the annual precipitation, and is generally
associated with thunderstorms.
The temperature of the project area varies from 2 o in the month of January to 25 o
in the month of May / June and during day and night temperature variation is 6 to

V-1
SONGAD SHP DPR

8oC. The average rainfall in the catchment area of the project is 1402 mm at
Bhatwari (20 km distance) and most of the precipitation is during the months of
June through September.

5.3 INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES AVAILABLE

The power house site and the entire project area is easily accessible from the
National Highway 108 from Uttarkashi town to Gangotri. A motorable is to be
constructed by UJVNL for facilitating construction and carriage of equipment and
materials. The length of this proposed road is about 4 kms upto weir site.

5.4 POWER EVACUATION

The proposed SHP shall be connected by a 33 KV Double Circuit line to Bhatwari
sub-station of UPCL.

5.5 INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES SUGGESTED FOR CONSTRUCTION

As sufficient residential facility is not available in the locality for the construction
staff, supervisory and labour, residential buildings shall have to be constructed
which shall be used by the construction staff initially and subsequently by
operation and maintenance staff. Some temporary sheds etc. shall be made for
camping arrangement of labour and for officers and stores for construction
material.

5.6 AVAILABILITY OF MATERIALS AND MAN POWER

Cement, steel, electrical and mechanical equipment including power house
trusses. G.I. sheets shall have to be brought by rail to Rishikesh from where
transportation by road shall have to be done up to the project site.
Sand and shingle are available in river bed in abundance and local cartage shall
be managed through mules for the construction.

The area near the proposed project site is thinly populated. As such, sufficient
local labour may not be available. Both skilled and unskilled labour shall have to

V-2
SONGAD SHP DPR

be arranged from outside for timely completion of the work. Preference shall
however, be given to employ local labour if available.

5.7 EXPECTED BENEFITS

An assured electric supply with proper voltage regime shall have multi-pronged
benefits. Energy requirement will increase many-fold from present level of load
demand within a span of 8 10 years after commissioning the scheme. The
assured reliable energy will be made available to the region at economical rates,
which will have a very positive effect on the development of the area. The project
envisages installation of 2 x 3500 kW power generating units, and the anticipated
power generation during different months have been estimated on the basis of
the discharge data available and reported in the concerning chapters.

5.8 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE SCHEME ON LOCALITY

The assured power supply from the scheme, based on renewable source of
energy will go a long way in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the local
inhabitants of these backward areas. Some of the main benefits are listed below:
(a) Considerable time and energy of the local people is lost in collection of
firewood and water, primary requirements for livelihood. Electric power
supply will easily meet these two basic requirements.
(b) In search of employment, a large number of local population migrate to
other part of the country. Assured electric supply can develop small
scale industries and provide employment opportunity to the local
inhabitants thereby reversing the trend of migration.
(c) Power supply will also develop tourism, cottage and rural industry, tea
plantation and processing, food processing industries and exploitation
of mineral and other natural resources.
(d) The region in which the power station is proposed to be located, being
a cold area, the energy requirement for space heating and cooking is
very high and therefore become obligatory on the part of the

V-3
SONGAD SHP DPR

Government to provide alternate source of energy and in the instant

case, small hydro power stands the most economical alternative.

Presently the local population are destroying the forest for fire-wood for
cooking and space heating purposes. If they meet the above
requirement of heating and cooking by use of electricity, damage to the
forest and deforestation can be checked. Deforestation, if not checked
now, shall affect the climate adversely, and shall lead to irreversible
damage to the flora and fauna, herbal and medicinal plants which
abound in the region.
(e) The development of small scale industry, natural resources and
tourism shall create employment opportunities for the local population
which will improve the per capita income leading to socio-economic
development.
(f) The project envisages generation of power much in excess of local
requirement and the surplus energy will help development of the
adjacent backward area and state grid.
(g) These small hydel projects when tapped in large numbers shall
contribute substantially to the power generating capacity of the state.
At present a large number of industries which have to bank upon fossil
fuels like coal and diesel, are suffering for want of adequate power
supply. The small hydel schemes will greatly help in development
activities, particularly in remote and backward hilly regions of the state
and simultaneously help in conservation of fossil fuel resources.
********

V-4