Maheshwar Hydro Electric Project, located at Mandleshwar, 80kms south of Indore in Madhya
Pradesh is a run-of-the river project. The project is being developed to harness the water
of Narmada river for generation of 400MW hydel power. Awarded to S. Kumars Group
on build, own and operate basis, the project involves construction of a 3420m long
and 36m high barrage with a power house housing 10 generating units. The project
is planned to be completed by year 2004.

Maheshwar project being a Run-of-River, submergence of land will be minimal.
The project apart from reducing the powre deficit of the region by a significant
amount of over 25%, will also improve the socio-economic condition of the local
 population.

SOME OF THE KEY BENEFITS OF THE MAHESHWAR PROJECT:

• Will provide peaking power and shall reduce the peak power shortage of the state of Madhya Pradesh by almost 25%
• Will supply economical and efficient power.
• Will assure availability of water and electricity to the industrial areas of Indore and Dewas and promote agro-based and food processing industries.
• Will increase underground water table of the region thereby saving about
  43 lack units of electric power annually.
• Will substantially increase the output of wheat and cotton in the region.
• It is the first major development initiative in Western Nimad region.
• Will contribute significantly in improving the hydro-thermal generation mix in the state and the region. Substantially increase in fish production.
• Will generate employment opportunities for the people
  of the region
• Will promote Ancillary Industries in the region.
• Will effectively promote Tourism industry region.

The benefits out of the project shall continue for nearly 100 years (life of a conventional Hydro project).

Environmental Aspects:

It is estimated that based on the worst possible condition the population of 22 villages will be affected due to submergence after the project is completed.. Out of these, population of 13 villages will be fully affected and that of 9 villages will be partially effected. A liberal compensation package has been decided for Rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) of the affected population.

It is not out of place to mention that out of the total area coming under submergence due to Maheshwar project, approx. 60% gets submerged during the normal monsoon floods. Thus relocation will be a boon for the people staying in these affected villages

Resettlement & Rehabilitation

The R&R programme of Maheshwar project is one of the best in the
country based on Govt. of M.P. policy for Rehabilitation and Resettlement in
the state. Some of the major aspects of the package are :

• "Land for Land" or option for monetary compensation for land. Compensation is also extended to encroachers as well.
• Assistance in providing irrigation on allocated land.
• Special financial assistance to landless agricultural labourers and SC/ST.
• Free residential plots of 5400 sq.ft to each owner losing his dwelling and to each of
  his adult son and unmarried adult daughter.
• Compensation for affected houses and properties coming under submergence.
• Grant in aid for construction of new houses.
• Rehabilitation Grant
  
  It has been planned to build 15 new villages for rehabilitating the affected
  population. All the new village sites are within 7 kms from the affected villages
  and locations are selected on the basis of villagers' choice.
  The project company is providing the basic infrastructure and amenities for
  the villages as roads, drinking water, electricity, sanitary arrangements, dispensary, school buildings, playgrounds etc. The work of 3 new rehabilitation sites is complete 
  and work in another four villages is going on in full swing.
  
  Keeping in mind social implications and sensitivity of issues involved, Madhya
  Pradesh Electricity Board (MPEB) is chosen as the implementing agency for
  executing the task of R&R works. For effective implementation of the R&R
  programme to the satisfaction of all concerned, progress is regularly reviewed
  and monitored by R&R committees comprising of local MLA, Collector, SDM,
  LAO, Janpad Adhikari of concerned block etc.
  
  A well structured Community Development Programme (CDP) has been designed
  to ensure a better quality of life for the project-affected population. The aim is to 
  ensure a sustained livelihood for the people by imparting skills and generating awareness among them. Following are some of the ongoing programmes under CDP: ·
• Information Cells started in villages for better interaction and flow of information between the affected people and the Project Company.
• Agricultural education program for farmers.
• Doctors visit & Health camps.
• Education of illiterate children.
• Sewing machine centre.
• Training programmes for women in healthcare and related areas
• Cleaning of villages.
• Formation of self-help groups for women Motor - winding classes.
• Plantation by school children
  
  This project is committed to upliftment of local population and ensures better standard of living for these people.
  
  

Construction

All the major contracts for the project are finalised and the construction activities are
progressing in full swing. Basic infrastructure facilities as roads, township,
construction power, concrete batching and mixing plant, Ice plant, etc. are complete.
Works have been taken up simultaneously in Power House, Spillway, Intake channel, Tail
race channel and other related areas.

Power house

The Power house comprises of 10 turbine generators of 40 MW each. Excavation work in power house has reached the deepest foundation level and is almost complete.
Concreting work in progress for 5 out of 10 units bays. Erection of the main equipments to start shortly.

Spillway

Spillway of Maheshwar comprises of 27 radial gates to release water from up stream
of the barrage to the down stream. As the construction activities are carried out on the
river bed itself, works are done only during the non monsoon season by diverting the river.
Works have been taken up simultaneously in 14 out of 27 blocks.

For enquires, kindly contact:

Mr. Akhil Jindal
SMHPCL

Tel: 91 (22) 496 5701
Fax: 91 (22) 496 5708
E-Mail:  aj@skumars.co.in 

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