In a bid to fix the issue of water scarcity that frequently hits power generation at Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) in summer, Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL) has taken up a project of building a barrage across the Krishna near Gurjapur village in Raichur taluk.
The move was apparently instigated by the shut down of five units of RTPS in summer 2012 for five days, owing to severe water shortage.
The shut down had not only cost around Rs. 32 crore to KPCL, but had also caused power crisis in the State. The then Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje had convened a meeting of Board of Directors of KPCL and discussed the issue. The meeting felt the need to ensure uninterrupted water supply to RTPS and the soon-to-be-taken-up Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS). Several ideas such as laying a separate pipeline from Narayanpur Reservoir built across River Krishna to RTPS and building a huge water storing tank near the power station were finally dropped as they were felt to be financially unfeasible. KPCL has finally settled on constructing a barrage across the Krishna after the viability of the project was upheld by a team of experts.
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A sum of Rs. 120 crore was subsequently earmarked for the project. Bengaluru-based Raghu Constructions, the lowest bidder at tender auction with a quotation of Rs. 102.45 crore, has bagged the contract and the project is estimated to be completed within 24 months.
The project primarily involves construction of a barrage of 1180-metre length, 5.675-m height and 194 gates of 3x3 m (width and height). Once completed, the barrage can hold 0.46 tmcft of water. According to sources in KPCL, the barrage project would quench the thirst of RTPS and YTPS that require 2.5 tmcft and 2 tmcft water, respectively, for a year for seamlessly generating power from all their units. The project is also aimed at providing drinking water to Shaktinagar, Devasugur and other surrounding villages.