Jalaput Dam
The Jalaput Dam is a hydroelectric dam built on the Machkund River, a tributary of the Godavari River[1] in India which rises in the Mudugal hills of Visakhapatnam District and nearby Ondra Gadda it becomes the boundary between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. This Dam is the most ignored one in India, currently, it is in dilapidated condition. For over 48 km the river runs nearly north along a meandering course through the Padwa Valley. About 48 km south of Jeypore, it winds westward along the edge of the Plateau and then suddenly tums at a short angle to the south-west down a steep descent popularly known as Duduma Falls.
| Jalaput Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location of Jalaput Dam in Odisha | |
| Country | India |
| Location | Jalaput village, Koraput district, Odisha |
| Coordinates | 18°27′14″N 82°32′49″E |
| Purpose | Hydroelectric & Irrigation |
| Opening date | 2000 |
| Owner(s) | Government of Odisha |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth-fill dam |
| Impounds | Machkund River |
| Height | 60.65 m (199 ft) maximum. |
| Length | 419 m (1,375 ft) |
| Spillway type | Ogee section |
| Spillway capacity | 5660 cumecs |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Jalaput Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 971×106 m3 (0.233 cu mi) |
| Active capacity | 893×106 m3 (0.214 cu mi) |
| Inactive capacity | 78×106 m3 (0.019 cu mi) |
| Catchment area | 1,963 km2 (758 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 97.12 km2 (37.50 sq mi) |
| Power Station | |
| Operator(s) | APGENCO |
| Turbines | 3 × 17, 3 × 23 MW |
| Installed capacity | 120 MW |
| Website irrigationap | |
Jalaput Dam (and Reservoir) impounds 34.273 Tmcft of water for the needs of downstream 120 MW Machkund Hydro-Electric Scheme (MHES), which is in operation since 1955.[2] The dam and the MHES are the joint projects of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states. The existing six number power generation units have become old and obsolete compared to the latest technology. It is much economical to install a new hydro-electric scheme with a 15 km long tunnel using nearly 400 meters available level drop between Jalaput reservoir and the existing Balimela Reservoir backwaters. There is also the possibility to install a huge capacity Pumped-storage hydroelectricity station for the needs of peaking power using high water level drop. This reservoir will serve as the upper pond and the existing Balimela reservoir as the tail pond for installing Pumped-storage hydroelectricity units. Thus this reservoir water can be put to use more productively. The existing MHES[3] can also be kept in operation by diverting the surplus water from the nearby upper Kolab reservoir[4] into the Machkund river basin by joining with nearly 4 km long tunnel. This would facilitate to use of excess water from the upper Kolab reservoir for enhanced electricity generation in MHES and downstream Balimela powerhouse by using nearly 200% more available head in Sileru river basin before putting finally for irrigation use.
Origin
Jalaput derives its name from its local tribal dialect 'Jala' or 'Jal' means water. (In sanskrit too 'Jal' means 'Water') and 'Put' means a residence or a storehouse or large place. Jalaput water reservoir was the only water source for many of the local tribes in more than 100 tribal villages in and around Jalaput in the koraput district. Before the present dam was built 55 years ago, it was a dense forest and a river surrounded by many tribal villages.
Jalaput is a border village between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. One bridge distinguishes between the two states. Both sides of the bridge are known as LF (Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam district) and RF (Odisha, Koraput district). Earlier to the formation of the jalaput dam it was known as Tentaput. The village is surrounded by many tribal villages still.
Jalaput , Machkund, and Onukadelli form the triangular shape of this hydroelectricity generation project. The electricity generated here is supplied to many nearby towns including Visakhapatnam, Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh and, Koraput and Jeypore in Odisha.
Communication
Jalaput is connected by road with all important towns in Odisha and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most sought after visit places during winter. Araku Valley is 60 km from here. Visakhapatnam is the largest nearby city of this village.
Occupation
Agriculture is the main occupation in nearby villages. The jalaputias (The residents of jalaput) are mainly Government employees. The retail business here is dominated by prominent Odia speaking businessmen. Woodcutting has become a prominent business here for a decade. That rise to many gangs fights in the last few years. District administration is worried about the rising fights amongst different groups for the last five years. Apart from rice, java and many medicinal plants also form a significant part of agrarian business here. Presently many have entered into contractual farming for medicinal plants, jatropha plantation, and tissue culture.
The village has 5-decade old temples, Uma Maheshwara Temple, mosques, and churches within a distance of 30 meters. Residents celebrate all festivals without any religious overtones. The village is the right combination of Telugu and Odissa language people. People here understand and communicate in both languages with a mixed accent. Every year May last week or JUNE the first-week people celebrate the local Village God festival and they celebrate it grandly; The local people call it "Aadavi talli jatara ". The climate in this zone is very pleasant and a lot of attraction to viewers and mainly in the winter season the temperatures are even recorded 10 degrees below
Many aboriginal tribes inhabit nearby small villages. Most of the region was densely covered by forest. But recently due to massive deforestation in the last one and half-decade, much of the land has become barren.
The main village area residents are Government Employees and also a businessman.
References
- Godavari river basin map
- "Jalaput Dam D03658". Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- "Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Ltd". Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- "Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd". Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.