Pune: The work of the power generation plant to be developed on Khadakwasla Dam, in Pune which is considered as one of the four major dams supplying water to the city, has come to a standstill due to lack of manpower.
The trial for the power generation plant was launched in February and the Water Resources department was planning to start direct power generation from March. However, earlier due to technical reasons and now due to the lack of workers, power generation has not started yet.
The task of generating electricity on the water released from Mudha Ujwa canal from Khadakwasla dam is based on the principle of Build, Operate and Transfer (Build, Operate, Transfer - BOT).
"Both Panshet and Varasgaon dams generate electricity while discharging water into the Khadakwasla dam. Similarly, it was decided to generate electricity directly from the Khadakwasla dam. Accordingly, the planning work has commenced, completed and tested. However, due to some technical reasons, now the power generation had not started yet. As well as, due to coronavirus pandemic and lockdown there are difficulties in working due to non-availability of workers," informed Deputy Engineer, Irrigation Department, Khadakwasla, Vaman Bhalerao.
Previously, since excavation work for closing of the canal was not permitted, there were issues with operating the powerhouse. Unless closed, the powerhouse would take water from the municipal canal.
On completion of the work, the corporation is now taking water from the new waterway hence solving the problem.
Currently, more than 90 per cent of the work of the project has been completed and the remaining work will be completed immediately after the availability of labourers.
Power generation possible after releasing water for agriculture
After releasing water for agriculture in the canal from Khadakwasla dam, a powerhouse has been constructed at its beginning and it has become possible to generate electricity through generators. Once the power is generated, the water can be released back into the canal. The canal runs for 170 days in a year, so it is possible to generate electricity after releasing water for agriculture. Once the power is generated, it will be sold to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited or Mahanirmithi.
