Feasibility of coastal reservoir to harness Godavari river surplus waters.

N. Sasidhar
Synopsis:
Coastal reservoir is a fresh water reservoir to store river water on the sea area adjacent to the sea coast
by replacing the sea water. In this conceptual paper, it is explained how to store most of the Godavari
and Krishna flood waters in a 1000 tmc capacity coastal reservoir to harness nearly 1850 tmc water
throughout the year for meeting agriculture, industrial, drinking, etc needs in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu states. Coastal reservoirs are cheaper to construct compared to land based reservoirs since they
do not incur heavy cost for submerged land acquisition and rehabilitation of the effected population.
They also serve multipurpose utility such as mega deep sea harbour, road transport, rail transport, land
reclamation, solar power generation, etc without appreciable environmental damage.

Introduction:
The canal based irrigation potential established in Andhra Pradesh (AP) is not exceeding 30,000 square
km forming 18.5% of the total state area whereas nearly 55% of the state area (nearly 163,000 square
km) is under cultivation. Another 14,000 square km (8.5% of the state area) is under creation by the
ongoing irrigation projects. There is need to bridge the massive gap between the created potential and
the ultimate potential for the development of agriculture sector where more than 50% population
directly depend on agriculture sector. Most of this created irrigation potential also has no reliable water
supply as the available assured water in the associated rivers is over exploited in the upstream river
basin areas outside the state. AP being last downstream state in the Krishna, Godavari, Penna, etc river
basins, failure of above average monsoon rains severely affects the state agriculture sector. Similar
situation is prevailing in the adjacent Tamil Nadu (TN) state which is also to be mitigated by exporting
flood waters of Godavari River. Construction of a massive coastal reservoir with storage capacity of 1000
tmc (thousand million cubic feet) would be a major step to provide all the cultivated lands with assured
canal water supply at least for one crop in a year by using every drop of rivers water flowing in the state.
With the proposed coastal reservoir, nearly 1500 tmc and 350 tmc water additionally can be used in AP
and TN respectively from the Godavari river flood waters which are going waste to the sea presently.

Coastal reservoir concept:

The area up to 20 meters water depth is isolated from the sea to create a fresh water coastal reservoir
by constructing dykes/earth bunds from sea bed up to 8 meters above the mean sea level (msl). The
dyke is envisaged in the form of two parallel bunds with 1000 meters gap in between. The land side
inner bund stores the river water and its fresh water level varies as the water is extracted for various
uses from 20 meters below msl to local high tide level (maximum reservoir level) with full reservoir level
(FRL) at 0.0 msl.

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The gap between the inner bund and the sea side outer bund is also filled with river water and
maintained always at two meter above the sea level either by feeding river water by gravity or by
pumping from the fresh water coastal reservoir. This is required to completely prevent any sea water
seepage into the fresh water coastal reservoir whose water level would be below sea level in most of
the duration. Even one (1) percentage sea water (40,000 ppm dissolved salt content) seepage can make
the stored fresh water unfit for any use. So, reverse seepage of fresh water from outer dyke to the sea is
incorporated by maintaining water level above sea level at +2 m msl between the bunds. Fresh water
from the outside of the inner bund can only seep into coastal reservoir which will not contaminate the
stored fresh water. The natural water inflows from the catchment area of minor rivers directly flowing
into the coastal reservoir and the rainwater falling directly on its surface area are adequate to meet the
seepage, evaporation, etc losses from the coastal reservoir.

The 1000 m wide water body of 22 meters water depth at +2 m msl water level between the two bunds
is envisaged for using as a deep sea water port by providing outlets to the sea through locks
arrangement. The top of the inner bund (50 m wide) would serve as road and rail link to the deep sea
harbour in addition to serving as coastal high way and rail route. The coastal reservoir is also connected
by locks arrangement at few locations to the deep sea harbour area for facilitating navigation.

Coastal reservoir details:

The proposed coastal reservoir (shown in Figure A) is located on the sea coast on either side of Krishna
river’s mouth between the southern tip (at 16°20′07″N 81°39′31″E) of Godavari delta in West Godavari
district and the northern tip (at 15°34′09″N 80°13′49″E) of Gundlakamma river mouth in Prakasam
district stretching nearly 180 km long with 16 km average width, 10 m average depth and 1000 tmc
(nearly 29 billion cubic meters) gross storage capacity. The reservoir is isolated in to three parts. The
eastern part is located towards east of Krishna river estuary, the western part is located towards west of

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Krishna river estuary and the central part is nearly 30 km in length covering the sea area of Krishna river
mouth / estuary. One of the purposes of dividing the total reservoir area in to three parts is to pass the
probable maximum flood (PMF) of Krishna River without any effect on coastal reservoir’s water quality,
safety and normal operation. The residual water available at the tail end of the Krishna River is not of
good quality for further irrigation use as the Krishna river water is repeatedly used in its upstream basin
area which leads to accumulation of dissolved salts in the residual water. Depending on suitable water
quality (less than 500 ppm TDS) only, Krishna water would be stored in the coastal reservoir. Otherwise
it is used for harbour flushing or discharged to the sea from the central part.

A diversion barrage would be constructed across the Vashista Godavari at 16°19′41″N 81°43′15″E with
FRL +4 m MSL near Antervedi Pallipalem town. From this barrage, water would be fed at 16°19′19″N
81°42′22″E to the coastal reservoir through a 1.5 km long gravity canal (using available natural channel)
with a maximum flow of 500,000 cusecs. Nearly 1850 tmc surplus Godavari water would be diverted to
the coastal reservoir @ 415,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) average flow for 30 days and at an
average of 150,000 cusecs for another 60 days during monsoon season every year. Another barrage
across the left branch of Vashista Godavari is also constructed at 16°35′19″N 81°52′55″E near P.
Gannavaram village to regulate/divert the water flow in to the right branch of the Vashista Godavari.
The existing Sir Arthur Cotton barrage across the Godavari will divert the needed water flow (up to
500,000 cusecs) to its downstream right side river called Vashista Godavari. Polavaram dam with 170
tmc live storage capacity behind its flood gates would also moderate the surplus water of Godavari
assisting the required water transfer to the coastal reservoir. Vashista Godavari river branch is not
directly feeding water to the coastal reservoir but through the diversion canal of 500,000 cusecs
capacity whose flow can be regulated as per the requirement of the coastal reservoir. The PMF
discharging capacity of Godavari River is kept intact with the construction of the coastal reservoir as it is
not covering the sea adjacent to Godavari delta.

A barrage of flow capacity 350,000 cusecs with gates up to +1 m msl interconnects the eastern part with
the central part (Figure B). Water can flow to both sides depending on the requirement. Krishna river
flood water can be fed to the eastern part through the barrage and Godavari river water from eastern
part can also be fed to the central part through the barrage. Also any flood water received from the
catchment area of eastern part is transferred to the central part for further transfer to western part or
to the sea. Similarly, another barrage of flow capacity 350,000 cusecs with gates up to +1 m msl
interconnects the western part with central part. Krishna and Godavari rivers water can be fed to the
western part through this barrage. Also any excess flood water received from the catchment area of
western part is transferred to the central part for sending to the sea. The PMF water of the Krishna River

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flowing to the central part is directly disposed to the sea by constructing a third barrage of suitable
length. This barrage is located on the sea area at nearly 12 meters water depth. The 20 m high gates of
the barrage would extend up to +8 m msl to prevent sea water spilling in to the central part during
storm surges.

The three parts of the coastal reservoir are provided with overflow barrages for limiting water level rise
above the local high tide level to prevent flooding of coastal lands. In addition, two subsea tunnels of
suitable diameter at –20 m msl depth will be provided under the central part (2 km long) to interconnect
both the eastern and western parts for water level equalisation during the non-monsoon months. The
total flow capacity of the tunnels is 50,000 cusecs at 5 m water level difference to provide adequate
water in the western part of the coastal reservoir.

The coastal reservoir will have at least 200 years operating life as the water diverted from Godavari and
Krishna is containing less silt load since both the rivers have number of upstream reservoirs to trap most
of the silt. The water inflows from the catchment area of the coastal reservoir (excluding Godavari and
Krishna rivers) and the rainfall on its surface area is nearly 350 tmc at 75% dependability.

Construction details:
The earth bunds would be built by the dredged sand and clay from the nearby shallow sea bed. The
middle part of each bund is filled with clay to form the required impervious barrier. The reservoir’s outer
bund facing the sea side is of break water type to withstand the storm surges and sea erosion. When the
sea bed under the bunds has loose unconsolidated clay pockets, sand injection grouting would be
performed up to required soil stiffness to secure the earth bunds from future subsidence. The gates of
three barrages located on the coastal reservoir are provided with stop logs on both sides to facilitate
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sound maintenance of gates. The technology involved in the construction of earth bunds, barrages and
gated locks on the sea area is already well established and proven. Many working installations have
more than 10 years trouble free operating experience. Saemangeum Seawall in South Korea, Marina
Barrage in Singapore, Delta Works in Netherlands, Thanneermukkom Bund in India, etc are few
examples which have already set records in the application of engineering and construction skills
beyond the needs of proposed coastal reservoir. The total surface area of all bunds of the coastal
reservoir is nearly 25 square km only compared to 46 square km area reclaimed from sea for Deira
Islands, Dubai.

The outer bund is first completed along with its gated locks and the main barrage (to discharge surplus
freshwater inflows to the sea). The water spread separated from the sea is used as harbour by
constructing the required cargo handling facilities on the landward side of the outer bund. To cross the
gated locks area by the road vehicles, the road at the top of the outer bund is provided with retractable
or swing or bascule bridges to avoid obstruction to the ships passage while entering in to the coastal
reservoir. The needed barrages across the Vashista Godavari river along with the water diversion
channel to the coastal reservoir are also completed in parallel. Godavari water is fed to the costal
reservoir initially created by the outer bund to leach the salinity from the coastal reservoir area. The
water level in the reservoir is maintained at +1 m MSL to establish water flow from coastal reservoir to
the sea. After the inner bund is constructed, the entire coastal reservoir is fully drained by pumping out
the brackish water and tested for unreasonable sea water seepage before supplying the water for
irrigation, etc. The cargo handling facilities on the seaward side of the inner bund are also commissioned
along with associated access roads to fully commission the planned harbour works.

Environmental impact:
During the non-monsoon months, the water level and quality in central part of the coastal reservoir is
maintained in such a manner to suit the surrounding mangrove forests by mixing sea water to the
continuously available minimum environmental flows from the Krishna River. The main reason for
splitting the coastal reservoir in to three parts is to maintain natural conditions required by the
mangrove forests. Excess river flow from the Krishna River is either pumped to the deep sea harbour
areas for making up the water losses to maintain its water level or discharged to the sea through the
barrage gates/harbour locks.

Unhindered fish migration is feasible through the navigational locks and barrages to the coastal
reservoir or upstream of Krishna River. The local fishermen livelihood opportunities would be improved
than earlier since the fresh water in coastal reservoir is more productive for fish growth and fishermen

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can catch the fish with lesser effort. Also better access to high seas from the deep sea harbour would
enlarge scope of deep sea fishing.

The coastal reservoir area can also be used for cheaper solar power generation for the needs of water
pumping. Solar power generation is also free from green house gas emissions. As the coastal reservoir
water is maintained below sea level, the drainage of irrigated lands adjacent to the reservoir would
improve and these lands are also protected from inundation during storm surges. The overall impact of
coastal reservoir is environment friendly.

Water use:
With the help of the coastal reservoir, Godavari River water is made available nearly 300 km away from
the main river towards the water starved areas in AP and TN states. Godavari and Krishna rivers water
from the coastal reservoir can be pumped continuously @ 100,000 cusecs for three months (778 tmc)
during the monsoon months and @100,000 cusecs for eight months (1037 tmc) @12 hours/day during
non monsoon months in a year. Wind, hydro, solar and cheap power from the grid is used for pumping
water during the monsoon duration whereas solar power is used during rest of the year. From the
western end of the coastal reservoir, water would be pumped to 115 m msl elevation using few lifts in
series located in Prakasam district. From this point onwards, water transfer is by gravity to the existing
Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs. A gravity canal from Somasila reservoir would transfer continuously
up to TN state border for its use 350 tmc in 90 days duration during south west monsoon season. Within
AP state, number of lift irrigation schemes would be taken up to supply adequate water to all cultivated
lands, including high lands located up to 600 m msl in Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Chittoor and
Ananthapur districts by using Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs as balancing reservoirs. The existing
and ongoing irrigation projects using Krishna, Godavari, etc river’s water would meet all the water needs
of rest of the area in AP state.

Capital cost:
The 200 km long coastal reservoir holding 1000 tmc storage would cost nearly INR 300 crores per km
length totalling to INR 60,000 crores which excludes water pumping system from the reservoir for
various uses. This works out to INR 60 crores per tmc storage which is cheaper by 4.5 times when
compared to the ongoing Polavaram reservoir with 195 tmc gross storage capacity. The cost of
Polavaram head works including the submerged land acquisition cost and rehabilitation expenditure of
the displaced population is exceeding INR 53,000 crores. It works out to more than INR 272 crores per
tmc storage. When the utility of the mega scale ultra deep sea harbour associated with the coastal
reservoir is also taken in to account, the cost applicable to fresh water storage would reduce further.

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The vast harbor area can be used for shipping, transshipment of merchandise, ship breaking, ship
building and safe berthing of coal, crude oil, LNG, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG), etc ships for floating storage purpose. Not only serving the needs of India, the harbor can turn
in to a global navigation hub similar to Singapore and Greece.

Project financing:
The most feasible option to the AP government (GoAP) is to award all the project works on turnkey basis
on build, own and transfer (BOT) basis. The project bidder would quote the annuity he has to receive
after the completion of the project from the sponsor (GoAP) on contract for difference basis (CfD). The
operating profit from the harbour operations is deducted from the annuity amount and deficit is paid to
the turnkey contractor or surplus is retained by the GoAP. The ownership of the harbour facility will be
transferred to GoAP at no cost after completion of 25 years from its commissioning date. The project
completion time can be less than 7 years from the date of contract agreement. There can be
moratorium for initial two years of operation in annuity payment by GoAP. The operation and
maintenance (O&M) job of the harbour can be with GoAP or assigned to any company by it. When O&M
is responsibility of GoAP, it can have complete monitoring to minimise the expenses or to optimise the
operating profit for earning net surplus after paying the annuity to the owner company. Additionally, the
revenue from the harbour operations is in international currency to meet the foreign loan repayments if
any.

TN would pay for water supply from AP state @ 200 crores/tmc which includes water right to receive
water at 75% dependability for 100 years (Force Majeure conditions are also applicable). For 350 tmc
per annum water supply in the coastal reservoir, TN would pay nearly INR 70,000 crores in 84 equal
monthly instalments to AP. To avoid water disputes under interstate river water disputes act from the
upstream riparian states in Godavari and Krishna basins, water supply agreement with TN will be made
for supplying water from the intrastate rivers of AP state which are located in the area south of the
Godavari River. AP may use the payment from TN to build the complete needed irrigation water supply
infrastructure by the time coastal reservoir is ready to store water in 7 years duration. Also TN would
bear proportionately on actual basis the construction cost of joint pumping stations, canals, etc which
are located in AP but needed for transfer of water to the designated points on common border. The
total expenditure to the TN state for the water it receives from AP is less than the expenditure it would
incur to store the water in reservoirs and the associated water transfer trunk canals assuming that the
water source is available in its area.

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Conclusion:
The coastal reservoir proposal for harnessing Godavari river water is sound and technically feasible
without any scope for disasters like land based dam break. In fact coastal reservoirs help to mitigate the
fury of the nature like tsunamis, cyclones, floods, etc. The associated investment is also few times
cheaper than similar scale land based water reservoir. The project finance proposal, if implemented,
would not be a burden to GoAP to put in place the entire needed infrastructure for harnessing its water
resources on massive scale. The irrigation potential of the proposed infrastructure by using 1,500 tmc
water is nearly 43,500 square km which is nearly 27% of the state area and more than the already
developed and under development irrigated area in the state by irrigation canals.

………..
References:
http://ojs.udspub.com/index.php/jsupp/issue/view/51 Coastal Reservoir, Journal of Sustainable
Urbanization, Planning and Progress.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contracts-for-difference/contract-for-difference
Contract for Difference (CfD) policy paper.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_reservoir Coastal reservoir.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_reclamation Land reclamation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oosterscheldekering Oosterscheldekering sea barrier, Netherlands.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saemangeum_Seawall Saemangeum Seawall, South Korea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sihwa_Lake_Tidal_Power_Station Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Barrage Marina Barrage, Singapore.

https://newatlas.com/the-worlds-largest-man-made-island/9172/ The world’s largest manmade island,

Palm Deira, Dubai.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retractable_bridge Retractable bridges

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_bridge Swing bridges

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge Bascule bridge

This paper was first written in September 2018 and subsequently updated.

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