Addressing the Society of Arts [in London], Lord Lamington, referring to the industrial development of India, said there were tremendous supplies of water for factory power in the southern part of Bombay presidency and suggested that Government make a complete survey of these and other sources, in view of their conversion for mechanical purposes. The engineer Alfred Dickinson suggested that the Government of India immediately undertake complete investigation of possible sources of water power in India. Information obtained should be available for public use. A preliminary estimate of the cost of the Koyna river scheme showed it would be a thoroughly sound commercial proposition. Hitherto the investigation of the possibility of utilising for power and purposes of irrigation of Lake Periyar in Madras, showed that a thoroughly workable scheme for manufacture of nitrates on a large scale could be established, power could be obtained from Baridoab Canal and Dudhsagar Falls and there was every reason to believe that very considerable power could be secured from many parts of India.
