KHANORA SMALL HYDRO POWER PROJECT

5.0MW

CHAPTER-II
SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Reconnaissance Survey
Reconnaissance survey was carried out for selecting optimum location for this hydro-electric
scheme. The proposed scheme is captive run-of-the-river scheme. Design discharge of
1.20cumecs is taken for the contemplation of this scheme. The team of constituting
Geologist, Hydrologist and Experienced Engineers carried out reconnaissance survey.
Detailed survey and investigation of the project were carried out with the help of GPS and
altimeters.
Preliminary identification of layout at site for various structures was finalized by a team of
engineers having long experience in design and construction of hydro power projects in
Himalayan Rivers. On studying the site conditions vis--vis cost aspects, it was decided to lay
the water conductor system on right bank and power house on left Bank of Khanora nallaha.
This was followed by topographical survey covering the entire project structures.
Subsequently another visit was conducted to finalize the layout of project and to establish the
techno-economic feasibility.

Topographical Surveys
The topographic survey of the area covering all project components was carried out on a
scale of 1: 2000 with 2 m contour intervals for working out the general layout of the scheme.
Since GTS Bench Marks was not available within a reasonable distance, the Survey of India
existing triangulation station in the nearby vicinity was adopted for topographical survey
work.
The locations and elevations of the various stations established at suitable positions for
covering the different components of the project area have been interconnected with survey
of India existing triangulation station by closed circuit traverse survey.
For preparation of L-section of the nallaha near the diversion weir, levels were observed in
the nallaha bed from about 100 m upstream of diversion weir site to +200m downstream of
the diversion weir site. For preparation of L-section of the nallaha at Power House site, levels

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KHANORA SMALL HYDRO POWER PROJECT

5.0MW

were observed in the nallaha bed upto +200m upstream and + 100m downstream of the Tail
race confluence point. Leveling was carried out by closed circuit traverse survey.

Detailed topographic surveys have been carried out for the following structures:
i.

Diversion structure and surrounding areas comprising desilting tank area on a

scale of 1:500 with 1 m contour interval and cross section along axis. This
covers an area of 100 m upstream and + 200m downstream of the structure,
extending about 20 m above HFL.

ii.

Strip survey for water conductor system on a scale of 1:2000 with a contour
interval of1 m. Since the power tunnel is located on the right bank, the area
covered on this side extends from the power channel about 15 m on the hill
side and 15 m on the valley side.

iii.

Strip survey for the Forebay, intake and penstock on a scale of 1: 2000 at 2 m
contour interval covering a width of 100 m to 150 m.

iv.

Powerhouse, tailrace and surrounding area on a scale of 1: 1000 at 2 m

contour interval.

Hydro-Meteorological Observations
For assessing the water availability for power generation from Khanora SHP, the discharge
measurement is of vital importance. For this selection of good discharge site was considered
important. To achieve this, the Khad was traversed and a suitable discharge site was located
near proposed power house site. It the proposed discharge site, the flow was channelized by
constructing wire crates abutments on both sides. The boulders in the bed which were
creating turbulence were removed to ensure smooth flow. The discharge measurements have
been carried out by float method. Special care has been taken to enlarge accurate discharge
measurement. The discharge measurements were started in September 2009 and continued
till.
In addition to discharge measurement the adjoining nallah of Beas Basin were studied to
compare the hypsometric characteristics and accordingly it was observed that the Khanora
which is a tributary of Beas River has similar characteristics and flow pattern is almost same.
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5.0MW

The Discharge data of Allain & Duhangan Nallah is available for longer period, which has
been used for extending the flow series of Khanora nallah for working out water availability
during 75% dependable year. In addition to water availability, studies were carried to find out
basin characteristics. The catchment areas versus elevations were studies and contribution of
snow melt vis--vis rain fall for inflows of Khanora nallah was established.

Geological Investigation
Khanora SHP is a small Project and discharged diverted for power generation is only
1.20cumces. Thus small structures have accordingly been proposed and underground
structure viz tunnel etc is required. However, detailed geological mapping of Project area
covering all components have been carried out and the geological recommendations have
been taken into account while carrying out preliminary design of structures. Rock has not
been anticipated at foundation level of Trench weir, desilting and power house and the
structure has accordingly been proposed on soil. Necessary cut-off up to scour depth has been
proposed in Trench weir on the end of upstream and downstream floors.
For power channel, adequate provision of slope protection works and surface/subsurface
drainage has been made where the channel is laid on soil/over burden. RCC sleeper covering
has been proposed on power channel with earth cushion on reaches where sliding is expected
from cut hill slope. Penstock will be laid partly on rock and partly on over burden. At
powerhouse site, rock is not expected at shallow depth and raft foundation has accordingly
been proposed.

Construction Material Surveys.

Surveys have been carried out for identifying suitable construction material for execution of
Khanora SHP. For coarse aggregates, a Crusher near by village has been selected and samples
of materials collected and tested. The site has been approved for course aggregate up to 20
mm size. For course aggregate above 20 mm size, the excavated bed material has been found
suitable as this aggregate will be used in lean concrete in the beds of structures. Fine
aggregate quarry site has been located near Kullu and samples from this site has been tested.
For cement, ACC Barmana and Gujrat Ambuja Cements at Daralghat were considered and
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5.0MW

finally it has been proposed to use Ambuja Brand Portland Puzzolana cement conforming to
IS1489 (Part-I) on its suitability and lower cost considerations. Steel pipes for penstock,
SAIL has been approached and their ERW pipes have been found suitable.

Load Demand and Power Evacuation Surveys.

Load demand surveys have been carried out and it was observed that the power generated
from this project will fully be absorbed in the existing system. For power evacuation. It has
been proposed to connect this project with existing 33KV S/c Line on D/C structures with
ACSR 0.15sq.inch wolf conductor ,from Khanora SHEP(5.00MW) to Downstream Project
(2.25MW) in joint mode with Siander SHEP (2.00MW) after that it goes upto Palchan

substation..

Infrastructure & Construction Facility Surveys

Surveys have been carried out to finalize the infrastructural works required for early
execution of this project. For communication facilities, a road has been proposed up to power
house site for carriage of heavy generating equipment and Transformers and penstocks pipes.
Two nos ropeways have been proposed for carriage of construction materials to water
conductor system. Crossing/Foot bridge have been proposed at power house site and weir
site. Telephone and techphone facilities are proposed at every component/site for monitoring
the progress of work.

Environmental Impact Surveys

Studies have been carried out to assess the environmental impact of the project in
environmental and ecology position of the area. Between the weir site and power house site,
there is no water mill or irrigation use of water. As no storage structure is proposed, any
change in ground water condition is not anticipated nor there will be any adverse effect on the
general health or on Flora and Fauna in the area. In the absence of storage, no siltation
problems are anticipated. There will not be any problem due to dumping of muck or the
quantities of excavation are very small.

Man Power Surveys

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5.0MW

Studies have been conducted to estimate the man power requirement of project during
execution and operation and availability of man power in the area. It has been observed that
required man power of skilled and unskilled labour will be met up from the surrounding area.
The General consensus of local people is in favour of early execution of this project.

Foundation Investigations
Excavation for foundation in Weir Site and Power House consists of sand, boulders and river
deposits all the other components has granitic gneisses including thick intercalations of
schists at places well exposed along the proposed alignment forming steep hill slopes.
Whereas the hill slopes are found covered with thick layer of overburden material so it has
been decided to keep all the components from weir to power house grounded except power
channel. Hill slope in this reach comprises of hill wash material, however there is no sign of
instability of hill slope in this reach.

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