INTRODUCTION

Ravi is a major river of Indus basin originating in the Himalayas from Bara
Bangal, having snow covered slopes from 3050 m to 5800 m elevation above M.S.L..
The river is formed by four tributaries in head reaches namely Kalihan, Tantguri, Bhadol
and Laluni nallah. It is joined by three other major tributaries namely Tundah nallah,
Budhil nallah and Suil river at Kharmukh ( Both Budhil and Tundah) and Chaura
respectively. The river in its course traverses through district Chamba of Himachal
Pradesh before it enters the boundary of Punjab and Jammu Kashmir down stream of
village khairi. Sal nallah joints river Ravi from the right bank near Chamba town of
Himachal Pradesh. Number of streams Viz Gehra nallah, Chirchindi nallah and Belij
nallah join it at various elevations. Gehra project is proposed for development to utilize
the water of Gehra nallah a tributary of Ravi river.
TOPOGRAPHY OF THE BASIN
Chamba district is characterized by its distinct topography. Gerha nallah is snow
fed perennial stream. It is a tributary of Ravi river. Catchment area is rugged and hilly
with varying altitude from 1600 m to 3800 m at peaks. The catchment of this stream is
covered by forest, agriculture and barren land. Entire topography comprises of rocky
strata over which exists thick to thin layer of hill wash material forming agriculture land
and dense forests.
GEOLOGY
Geological formations ranging in age form pre-Cambrian to cretaceous are
exposed in the region. The bed rocks of the area features mainly metamorphic rocks,
genesis, quartzites, granite pegmatites, schists, phyllites, lime stone etc. the rocks are
joined sheared and faulted. The structural discontinuities have often long continuity. All
the rocks in the region have participated in the tectonic movements of the Himalayas and
are intensely folded and faulted. It is not certain whether these faults and thrusts is still
active or not.
Lithology of the area plays a significant role in the development of landform.
Evidence of landslides and creepage are present at a number of places on hill slopes.
Local landslides of minor dimensions are present at many places along the banks of river
Ravi, Belij, Gehra .
LOCATION OF THE PROJECT
The project site is located in district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh. It is 475 Km
from Shimla state capital of Himachal Pradesh and 36 km from Chamba district
Headquarters. Nearest railway station is at pathankot at 163 km. and airport is at Gaggal
(Kangra) at 218 km.

COMMUNICATION FACILTY
Project site is well connected by road from chamba, Chandigarh, pathankot,
Shimla and other important places. The road remains open almost round the year. The
project area is well connected with telephones having STD facilities.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
In winter mercury dips down to -10. C and rise up to +35. C during summer. The
catchments area receives heavy snowfall in winter and rainfall during July, August and
September.
Different alternate proposals were studied in detail, keeping in view the cost
effectiveness, ecological disturbances, stability of strata in construction area, optimum
use of water for power generation, length of transmission lines etc. The selected
alignment passes through stable strata. The best alternative on the Right Bank of the
stream is proposed. The locations of Weir, Desilting, Forebay, Water Conductor,
Penstock, Power House and other components have been identified and located at
suitable locations keeping in view the cost effectiveness, stability and economical design.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
The Gehra Mini Hydel Power Project is a Run_of_the _river scheme (2 MW) for
power generation on Gehra Nallah. Gehra Nallah is a tributary of river ravi. The project
area lies between latitude 32. -23. to 32.- 26. North and longitude 76. 18. to 76. 21.
East. The alignment of the project is proposed on the right Bank of Nallah. Part of the
alignment passes through a very hard and steep rock beyond which it passes through
agriculture land. The strata near powerhouse are hard too.
The project envisages utilization of a gross head of 399 m between the Fore-bay and the
proposed powerhouse. Main features of the Project are as below:

A Diversion structure (Dam) of 15.00 m length and 4.50 m ht at crest and 7mts at
non overflow portion from the deepest foundation level. The weir is of Gravity
type with an intake pool and intake structures.

A RCC Intake Tank of size 4m x 3m x 3m is proposed on right side of the Nallah

with complete flushing arrangement. The intake structures connected to intake
well. Provision given for protection works due to steep hill slopes.

A RCC Hopper type desilting tank of overall size 25m x 2m x 2.5m is proposed
to exclude the silt particles of size 0.20 mm and above. The flushing arrangement
consisting of scour pipes and sluice valves. Due to massive steep slope cuttings,
Rock bolting works are proposed.

Water Conductor system comprising of following components:

i. From Intake to Desilting Tank

A pipe 800 mm dia is proposed in this portion. Velocity of 2.35m/sec will be
generated and it will not allow settling down of any silt particle before Desilting
tank. Pipes have been proposed partly buried and partly over ground depending
on the nature of excavation terrain. Its carrying capacity is 1.00 cumecs.
ii. From Desilting Tank to Forebay
o HDPE pipe of 900mm diameter and 2100 m long is proposed to carry the design
discharge of 0.80 cumecs in this portion. Velocity of 1.27 m/sec will be generated.
Pipes have been proposed partly under the ground and partly over ground.
o Forebay of 8m x 6m x 3m size is proposed to store 3 minutes design discharge.
Storage capacity of the Forebay is sufficient to meet the instantaneous water
requirement at the time of start of the plant. For removing silt 2nos of 350mm
pipe with valves are provided.
o Surplus arrangements made for spilling water in the forebay.
o A circular steel penstock of 500mm diameter and 790m long is proposed. At tail
point 5.00m length of the penstock is bifurcated in to two penstocks 400mm
diameter to feed two turbines each of 1.00 MW capacity. Anchor/ Thrust blocks
have been provided where-ever required. Protection works and rock bolting is
also proposed along the alignment of the penstock as the bedding plane of strata is
unfavorable and hill slope is quite steep. A Butterfly Valve of 500mm diameter is
proposed just below the Forebay, to close the penstock at the time of urgency.
o A Surface power house of overall size of 22.50m x 9.0m in framed structure is
proposed to house two units of Electro-Mechanical equipment (1 MW each).
R.C.C channel is proposed as a tailrace. Powerhouse floor level is above the
H.F.L. hence no protection work is required. How ever a gabion wall is proposed
to protect the powerhouse from any sudden rise of water in the river.
o Installation of Electro-Mechanical equipment for two units of 1 MW each with
sub station and transmission system complete is proposed.
o The power generated will be supplied to the H.P.S.E B. Power grid at the nearest
interconnection point.
The project is proposed to be completed with in a time frame of 15 months from the
award of contract.
Gehra Hydro power Ltd
Hyderabad 500 033 (AP)

Hydro- tech, Trivandrum