Secretary’s Message
Multipurpose Water Recourses Project is key for the development of the society. Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) a terminal Dam located on river Narmada is one of the well studied projects. Everyone appreciates that a decision to build dam to provide drinking water, irrigation, power etc has a major implication on life of millions of people. But what is not appreciated is that the decisions not to build also have equally large implications. SSP which provided water to millions of people residing at a distance of more than 500 km who don’t have any other source is a great service to mankind.
This new website for the Sardar Sarovar Construction Advisory Committee (SSCAC) is being launched with the idea to provide maximum information about one of the most prestigious projects in India; namely Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP). The SSCAC is a sub-ordinate office of Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. The project is a joint venture of Gujarat, Maharashtra, M.P. and Rajasthan and being constructed by Gujarat Government, the GoI through SSCAC monitors its progress.
The Sardar Sarovar Construction Advisory Committee (SSCAC) was constituted in September 1980 with a view to ensure efficient, economical and timely execution of the Unit-I (Dam & Appurtenant works) and Unit-III (Hydro Power works) of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP). This website of SSCAC presents a glimpse of SSCAC, its constitution, its functions and various activities of SSCAC Secretariat, and salient features of the SSP. The Unit-I component of the project involves main dam construction which started in April 1987 and was programmed to be completed by the end of January 1998. The spillway blocks of the dam couldn’t be raised to full height due to litigation in Supreme Court, R&R and Environmental issues. The present height of spillway blocks is 121.92 m since December 2006.
I am very happy to inform you that in the 86th Emergency meeting of Narmada Control Authority held on 12th June 2014 it was decided to allow further construction up to full height i.e. 138.68 m as per following decision:-
The (SSNNL) is permitted to carry out phase – I proposal comprising construction of piers, overhead bridge and installation of gates in open or raised position at SSP as per the approved design. The project authorities should comply with the conditions as laid down by the two subgroups ( R & R Environment Sub group) of NCA. Particular care may be taken in preparing plan to provide timely safeguard in case of untoward/ unforeseen incident.
The Unit-III of the project involves mainly works in regard to the Canal Head Power House (CHPH), underground River Bed Power House (RBPH) and Garudeshwar weir. All the five units of CHPH (200 MW) have been commissioned successfully during August 2004 to December 2004. All six units of 1200 MW RBPH also commissioned in February 2005, April 2005, August 2005, October 2005, March 2006 and June 2006. Power generation has been started since year 2004 and more than 35000 Million Units energy were generated by both power houses since commissioning of Power Houses.
SSCAC accepted the recommendation of the Permanent Standing Committee (PSC) to accord approval of the revised cost estimates of Garudeshwar Weir amounting to Rs 438.18 crore and work contract was also awarded for its completion in 48 months. Construction work has been started by the agency and work of approach road, excavation & coffer dam is going on.
I will like to share that as per preliminary estimate the cost incurred on power house component is already recovered by value of power generated till date. Even though there was an acute shortage of man power, this year SSCAC could resolve long pending claims, start the work of Garudeshwar weir and moving ahead to the goal of full transparency and computerization.
In the end, I hope that this website provides you the information that you are looking for. In case you want any additional information, please feel free to contact us at: sscac-mowr@nic.in.