realized the importance of the productive value
of the floodplains of Damodar–Mundeswari,
given the density of population and high level of
investment on floodplains and that such protection can only be imparted at great cost and at the
cost of denying the reductive use of flood-prone
land. While there are losses in the high floodyears, the floodplains are utilized gainfully by the
people living in the area during the low floodyears. The approach, therefore, has been to ‘bear
the losses’ at the time of flood disaster while
enjoying the benefits of the land during the rest
of the periods/years (Chandra 2003).
This was a natural approach adopted by the
State Governments of India from the very beginning itself, i.e. after India became independent in
1947. The policy emerged out of the necessity to
safeguard the interest of already densely populated
floodplains and the difficulty envisaged in the
uprooting and resettlement of the floodplain
occupants who were living off the floodplains and
also that it was considered more beneficial to
accept occasional flood losses against large benefits accruing out of the use of floodplains. But
taking this problem into account it is necessary to
replan so that the interest of the common people
(densely populated) can be protected.
After the construction of Damodar Valley
Corporation (DVC), the river bank erosion at
upstream (before Durgapur) of Damodar is
increased due to high velocity and discharge of
water, which provides siltation problem at the
lower reach of Damodar and Mundeswari (the
main distributary of Damodar) because of very
gentle gradient. This silt can be reduced by
destroying sand bars or dredging the riverbed.
6.6 Proper and Scientific Reservoir
Control
6.6.1 Controlling Measures of DVC
Project
Earlier it was proposed that eight dams would be
constructed over the River Damodar by DVC.
But unfortunately, only four dams have been
constructed viz. Tilaiya (1953), Konar (1955),
Maithon (1957) and Panchet (1959). A pick up
structure Durgapur Barrage was constructed
downstream of the four dams in 1955 with head
regulators for canals on either side for feeding an
extensive system of canals and distributaries.
One more reservoir Tenughat (1978) came up on
Damodar River constructed by the Govt. of Bihar
(now Jharkhand).
Up to 1970s the function of the dams was
satisfactory but the problem restarted after that
period owing to heavy siltation on all the dams.
As a result, the carrying capacity of all the dams
decreased which increased the probability of
flood. On that circumstances the following
measures should be taken• Reduction of siltation from the dams on an
immediate effect by afforesting the upper
catchment area.
• With the help of early flood prediction water
may be released systematically with increasing intensity of rainfall.
• Increase the carrying capacity of Tilaiya,
Konar, Maithon, Panchet and Tenughat dams
by dredging the reservoirs bed.
• For the reduction of pressure on the dams
controlled by DVC rest of the four dams
should be constructed.
• The General Secretary of the Officers Forum
of DVC Mr. S.K. Singh suggested that one
barrage at Belpahari should be constructed,
approximate cost of which would be Rs.
8000 crore and also suggested at least 25
small regional dams in Purulia which may
cost 3 lakhs each. The Government of India
granted an insufficient amount to DVC in last
20 years where an amount of Rs. 3000 crore
is required only for dredging (Anandabazar
Patrika, Oct 22, 2013).
• The officials and common people (Krishak
Sabha) of Khanakul-II Block are raising the
most important point that the carrying capacity of River Rupnarayan must be increased by
drazing regularly from Panshiuli (junction
point of Howrah, Hugli and West Midnapur)
to Geonkhali.
68
N. C. Jana and S. Mandal
of the floodplains of Damodar–Mundeswari,
given the density of population and high level of
investment on floodplains and that such protection can only be imparted at great cost and at the
cost of denying the reductive use of flood-prone
land. While there are losses in the high floodyears, the floodplains are utilized gainfully by the
people living in the area during the low floodyears. The approach, therefore, has been to ‘bear
the losses’ at the time of flood disaster while
enjoying the benefits of the land during the rest
of the periods/years (Chandra 2003).
This was a natural approach adopted by the
State Governments of India from the very beginning itself, i.e. after India became independent in
1947. The policy emerged out of the necessity to
safeguard the interest of already densely populated
floodplains and the difficulty envisaged in the
uprooting and resettlement of the floodplain
occupants who were living off the floodplains and
also that it was considered more beneficial to
accept occasional flood losses against large benefits accruing out of the use of floodplains. But
taking this problem into account it is necessary to
replan so that the interest of the common people
(densely populated) can be protected.
After the construction of Damodar Valley
Corporation (DVC), the river bank erosion at
upstream (before Durgapur) of Damodar is
increased due to high velocity and discharge of
water, which provides siltation problem at the
lower reach of Damodar and Mundeswari (the
main distributary of Damodar) because of very
gentle gradient. This silt can be reduced by
destroying sand bars or dredging the riverbed.
6.6 Proper and Scientific Reservoir
Control
6.6.1 Controlling Measures of DVC
Project
Earlier it was proposed that eight dams would be
constructed over the River Damodar by DVC.
But unfortunately, only four dams have been
constructed viz. Tilaiya (1953), Konar (1955),
Maithon (1957) and Panchet (1959). A pick up
structure Durgapur Barrage was constructed
downstream of the four dams in 1955 with head
regulators for canals on either side for feeding an
extensive system of canals and distributaries.
One more reservoir Tenughat (1978) came up on
Damodar River constructed by the Govt. of Bihar
(now Jharkhand).
Up to 1970s the function of the dams was
satisfactory but the problem restarted after that
period owing to heavy siltation on all the dams.
As a result, the carrying capacity of all the dams
decreased which increased the probability of
flood. On that circumstances the following
measures should be taken• Reduction of siltation from the dams on an
immediate effect by afforesting the upper
catchment area.
• With the help of early flood prediction water
may be released systematically with increasing intensity of rainfall.
• Increase the carrying capacity of Tilaiya,
Konar, Maithon, Panchet and Tenughat dams
by dredging the reservoirs bed.
• For the reduction of pressure on the dams
controlled by DVC rest of the four dams
should be constructed.
• The General Secretary of the Officers Forum
of DVC Mr. S.K. Singh suggested that one
barrage at Belpahari should be constructed,
approximate cost of which would be Rs.
8000 crore and also suggested at least 25
small regional dams in Purulia which may
cost 3 lakhs each. The Government of India
granted an insufficient amount to DVC in last
20 years where an amount of Rs. 3000 crore
is required only for dredging (Anandabazar
Patrika, Oct 22, 2013).
• The officials and common people (Krishak
Sabha) of Khanakul-II Block are raising the
most important point that the carrying capacity of River Rupnarayan must be increased by
drazing regularly from Panshiuli (junction
point of Howrah, Hugli and West Midnapur)
to Geonkhali.
68
N. C. Jana and S. Mandal