Shahpurkandi dam project explained

Shahpurkandi Dam Project
Name Official:Shahpurkandi Dam
Country:India
Location:Pathankot, Punjab
Purpose:Power, irrigation
Status:Under construction
Construction Began:2014
Cost:₹2715.70 Crore in Feb 2018
Owner:Water Resources Department Punjab
Dam Type:Gravity
Dam Crosses:River Ravi
Plant Turbines:6 x 33 MW & 1 x 8 MW Kaplan-type
Plant Capacity:206 MW

The Shahpurkandi Dam project is located on the Ravi River in Pathankot district, Punjab, India, downstream from the existing Ranjit Sagar Dam. The power houses will be constructed on Hydel Channel, which is downstream from Shahpurkandi Dam. The water released by Ranjit Sagar Dam is to be utilised for generating power for this project. The project will generate electricity of up to 206MW and provide irrigation to Punjab (5,000 Ha) and Jammu and Kashmir (32,173 Ha). The construction of the dam is as per the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty regarding sharing of rivers between India and Pakistan.[1] [2]

The project comprises seven hydro-generating sets located in two power houses 6 nos. each of 33 MW and one of 8 MW. The gross storage of the balancing reservoir is 4.23 tmcft. The water released from the upstream Ranjit Sagar Dam, after generating electricity through the 600 MW power house during peak hours, is stored in the balancing reservoir to supply water to the irrigation canals continuously without any overflow into the downstream river.[3]

The dam component of the project was officially completed in February 2024.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Centre okays dam on Ravi, will cut water flow to Pakistan – Times of India. The Times of India. 7 December 2018 . 7 December 2018.
  2. News: Punjab, J&K agree to restart Rs 2,793 crore Shahpur Kandi dam project – Times of India. The Times of India. 9 September 2018 . 7 December 2018.
  3. Web site: Pb, J&K to restart Shahpur Kandi dam project. 6 March 2020.
  4. News: Shahpurkandi dam complete after 3 decades, will help check unutilised Ravi water flowing to Pakistan . theprint.in . 25 February 2024 . 17 March 2024.