Hirakud dam spillway project gets boost after securing funding

The ambitious Hirakud dam spillway project, funded through the Central Government's DRIP-3 programme, got further boost after it secured a loan of Rs 884 crore from the World Bank.

Having faced delays due to obstacles in land acquisition and insufficient administrative support during the preceding Biju Janata Dal (BJD) administration, the project has recently received a green light from the state cabinet. Initiatives to float a global tender are expected imminently.

Expert Assessment Scheduled

A team of specialists from the Central Water Commission will conduct a detailed analysis of the project site on Saturday. The Hirakud Dam, established in 1957 over the expansive Mahanadi river, stands as one of the longest dams globally. It currently manages floodwater via 64 sluice gates and 34 crest gates.

The original design is for a discharge of 1.5 million Cusecs flood water per second, but projections by the Central Water Commission suggest this could rise to 2.46 million Cusecs in the future. Pre-empting this, the Commission recommended the addition of two more spillways on the dam's left and right flanks.

"Following the inspection by the specialist, an MOU will be signed with the CWC for designing. Subsequently, DRIP-3 will start from April. The tender process will also start then," said Chief Engineer of Hirakud Dam Sushil Kumar Behera.

Progress Amidst Past Stalls

Four years ago during the tenure of the previous BJD government, difficulties with land acquisition and resettlement obstructed progress. However, recent authorisations mark significant advancement. Plans for the updated structure target a discharge capacity of 3,22,000 Cusecs through five new gates, channelling flow to a region outside Hirakud near Mahanadi's cremation sites.

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The initial spillway is to be constructed along Hirakud's left side, with a second planned to the south. The Chief Engineer of Hirakud notes that resettlement plans and much of the necessary groundwork are nearing completion.

"The rehabilitation work for the project has almost been completed. The work will be fully over at the end of March," said Chief Engineer of Hirakud Dam Sushil Kumar Behera.

An initial agreement on the new spillway was set on October 1, 2018, with Indian firm Tata and Turkish company EGIS embarking on preliminary work by January 23, 2019. However, inactivity from the authorities stalled the project, increasing both delays and expenses.

A fresh global tender now estimates the project's cost at Rs 624 crore. Additionally, proposals for support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development's (NABARD) Rural Infrastructure Development Fund were made but it did not progress.

Stalling yet again in 2020, due to protests and demands for fair compensation and rehab solutions, the restart of the project is invigorated by recent approvals and funding, highlighting an imminent construction commencement.

"There should not be any hurdle anymore in the project. Everybody knows the importance of Hirakud Dam. We are hopeful that a good company will get the contract and it will be completed in time," said Er Jasobanta Parida, former Chief Engineer of the Water Resource Department.