Conceived in 1918 Balia Nala hydroelectric power (HEP) project lighted up Nainital Municipality and provided water to its residents from 1922 to 1974, besides protecting the Balia ravine from erosion and earning revenue for the Municipality.
119 years after 1803 Garhwal Earthquake it was on September 1, 1922 that the lake city Nainital got regular electricity supply. Though amongst the cities to be electrified early, Nainital was not the first in Uttarakhand province as Mussoorie had already been electrified on May 24, 1909.
The plan
After detailed survey of the area in 1918 Durgapur near Veerbhatti (on present Kathgodam–Jyolikot–Bhowali motor road) on the right bank of Balia Nala was considered a potential site for installing a HEP generation unit. This was to provide effective hydraulic head of 427 m, and two 2073 m long 25.4 cm mains were to carry the water to the HEP generation unit at the rate of 5692 LPM. This was to operate three 150 KW turbines with direct coupled Pelton wheel and oil pressure governors planned to be installed at Durgapur. The electricity was to be transmitted through single HT line at transmission pressure of 3300 V.
Daily water requirement for operating the power generation unit during the peak summer demand was assessed as being 3967 cu m, and besides electricity generation diversion of the lake discharge was perceived as being a mitigation measure to protect the Balia ravine from further erosion.
The practice of maintaining regular records of atmospheric precipitation as also lake discharge and level helped in effective planning of this HEP project. Assured storage of 509703 cu m was assessed as being required for uninterrupted power supply during the nine dry months following the monsoon period. This amounted to water column of 01 m in the Naini lake.
Based on this assessment the weir at Tallital was remodelled. Location of the weir was finalized to rule out possibility of the inlet being choked by weeds, and accordingly intake was planned from a point north of Patwadunga inlet chamber on the South Mall.
The HEP project was also envisaged to fulfil drinking water supply related requirements of Nainital Municipality, and water was to be provided to the residents at the rate of 57 lliters per person per day.
The project cost
The HEP project was initially estimated to cost Rs. 1139639 in 1919. The estimates were however revised to Rs. 1282000 in 1920. Nainital Municipality managed to get a grant of Rs. 300000 for this project from the Government, while the remaining amount was raised through loans.
Public Health Department was given the responsibility of executing the project for Nainital Municipality, and the construction work commenced at the end of October, 1920 after acquisition of 12940 sq m land at Durgapur.
Increase in exchange rate together with modification of pumping station design and other unforeseen circumstances forced revision of the cost estimates in 1921 and the project was estimated to cost Rs. 2073387.
The first test drive of current for electric lights was made on August 9, 1922, and regular supply was made available in Nainital Municipality from September 1, 1922.
Financial viability
During the planning stage annual expenditure for operating the Balia Nala HEP project was estimated as being Rs. 112174 and 700000 units generated from the project were projected to be supplied at the rate of 2.55 annas per unit (Rs. 0.16 per unit; Rs 1 = 16 annas). This was envisaged to provide Nainital Municipality with annual revenue of Rs. 180000.
In the financial year 1923-24 against the expenses of Rs. 192710 that included interest repayment liabilities, Nainital Municipality could generate a revenue of Rs. 218668 from the Balia Nala HEP project.
Heritage lost
The Balia Nala HEP project continued to light up Nainital and its surroundings till 1974. In that year the project was transferred from Nainital Municipality to Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam (UPJVN). At that time the city was already connected to the main grid and UPJVN showed little interest in this project, and it was put to disuse.
Even though the demand for the separate state rallied around heritage and identity, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam (UJVN) that became the custodian of the Balia Nala HEP project after the creation of Uttarakhand state in 2000 showed no interest in rejuvenating this project.
No effort was thus made by any of the interested parties, including Nainital Municipality, to revive this project that apart from generating revenue reduced the pace of mass wastage along Balia ravine. No one really cared to appreciate the effort that was put in to plan and execute this project.
Even though restoration seemed economically unviable, the power house could have been secured as a heritage structure. This would have been something to be proud of.
With the passage of time plant and machinery at the power house were cheaply auctioned while the structures were unceremoniously razed to ground to construct dwelling units for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers of Nainital under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). With routine livelihood chores of most allottees revolving around the city large number of dwelling units were however mot occupied. The administration is presently trying to accommodate the evacuees of Harinagar in these.
So the victims of Balia Nala landslide are being accommodated in structures built on the ravages of the project that was conceived to arrest the erosion in Balia ravine.
Apart from stray pieces of the penstock passing through the houses around Harinagar, nothing of this HEP project can be traced at present.
If not anything else, the authorities planning a massive restoration exercise in the Balia revive in accordance with the High Court order of September 26, 2018 need to corelate the degradation around Balia ravine with Balia Nala HEP project becoming non-functional in 1974, as till that time major portion of the lake discharge was being drained through the penstock. Option of diverting the lake discharge could accordingly be resorted to, together with other measures suggested by the High Power Committee constituted by the High Court for monitoring the restoration works in the Balia ravine.
provide sources and books related to this articles.
‘Centenary celebrations of Nainital lighting is an apt occasion to restore the area and try to bring it under UN heritage site.
Ecological stability should be overriding consideration for developing as tourists destination
On all fronts of development the watch word should be ‘to assist the nature rather disciplining it’
Amazing never herd about this project and heritage property lying abondoned. Most unfortunate on Govt part to not utilizes this water source for the water supply augemntation of Nainital or Kathgodam water supply.For Nainital a very costly multi stage water supply scheme is being proposed from a river quiet far from Nainital.
Will take up this matter with the conserned authorities.
An enlightening article. The project should have ideally been protected and revived. It could have been made a heritage walk /trek destination for tourists and developed with due ecosensitivity . Thus ensuring safety and security of the Nala and the road down below..
I think due deliberation with an honest analysis such projects is the need of the day. Gaining political milage by taking decisions without paying any heed to the ecological and aesthetician aspects has brought about more harm than benefit to the environment and the safety of people settled in the vicinity .
Numerous cases of this kind can be quoted …. right under the nose of the government Bindal and Rispana settlements are a glaring example.