A view of the Salal hydroelectric power project of NHPC on the Chenab River, in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, Sunday. PIC/PTI
The biggest impact of the treaty's suspension on hydel operational efficiency is visible at the Salal Power Station located in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, on the Chenab River
The Salal Concrete Dam was designed with a provision of 06 under-sluice gates for sediment management. But, under the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960 and further an agreement signed in 1978, the 6 Under Sluices were permanently plugged, and operation of the Silt Excluder Gates was prohibited. In the absence of any sediment management facilities, silt started to accumulate in the reservoir since then
The executive director of Salal Power Station NHPC Limited, Anish Gouraha, visited the power plant on Sunday. "After the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty we are working on an effective sediment management plan to improve the operational efficiency of the power station. Dredging is one of the key activities under the silt management plan. Through this, we aim to remove as much silt as possible to minimise damage. Plans are also being developed to reduce sediment through flushing. Earlier, when the Indus Waters Treaty was in effect, we were not able to carry out all these measures," he said
ADVERTISEMENT
