The following questions to be replied by Chief Engineer, I(P), South in regard to the above subject👇
Sl. No. Questioner by MD CNNL
1. What are the recommendations of
KSNMDC? (KSNMDC report date to be
mentioned).
2. What are the recommendations of
National Institute of Rock Mechanics?
(NIRM letter date to be mentioned).
3. What are the recommendations of
CWPRS? (CWPRS report date to be
mentioned).
Compliance
KSNMDC Report dated 25-09-2018 & their recommendations are
 As per the Supreme Court order, there should be a strict restriction of Quarry Blasting Activity within
a radial distance of 2 Kms from the location of any Major Dam.
 KRS Dam Authorities need to check the Dam regularly in Structural point of view in terms of
Fractures and other Civil related damages, if any, and need to be rectified immediately as the
Krishnarajasagara Dam has already seen 80 Years of Service.
 Keeping in view, the importance of Krishnarajasagara Dam in the Cauvery Basin with a historic
Service of 80 Years and being a whole source of Drinking Water to many Cities in the State &
adjacent Tamil Nadu, also in providing Irrigation to many Hectares of Agricultural land, the State Dam
Safety Committee in co-ordination with the District Administration need to inspect / survey the area
within a radial distance of 15-20 Kms from the Dam and propose a plan to regulate any Activities
which can harm the Dam Structure in a longer course of time.
NIRM Report dated 03-01-2019 through email & their recommendations are
 Continuous Seismic Monitoring using a dedicated seismic network . Continuous
monitoring by deploying a dedicated seismic network would ensure recording of all seismic
activities, both natural and anthropogenic in 20km radius.This is to assess magnitude of seismic
activity, frequency of seismic events, their energy and migration.
 Seismotectonic Study to investigate the active tectonics features and reservoir
induced seismicity Active fault studies is important to identify potential source zones for
damaging earthquakes from geological information. The study can determine the maximum
magnitude of earthquake occurred in the region so that suitable protection to the dam structure can
be implemented
 Vibration Monitoring at the dam to monitor the level of vibrations due to blasting in
the mines The seismic energy released due to any significant seismic activity up to 5km radial
distance of the KRS dam would send vibrations in and around the dam body. Therefore, it becomes
necessary to monitor the level of vibrations due to blasting in the mines on continuous basis as to
assess the level of vibration due to any seismic activity.
CWPRS Report dated 11-01-2019 & their recommendations are
 This report has been prepared in a comprehensive manner, taking into consideration of all possible
aspects related to the safety of K.R.S. Dam based on actual joint site inspection, discussion with the
Project Authorities and documents submitted by the Project Authority based on queries made by
CWPRS from time to time during preparation of this report.
 It is of opinion of CWPRS that, since there are a number of villages scattered around the quarry zone
and closer to the quarry zone compared to the location of K.R.S. Dam from quarry zone, Controlled

4. What are the recommendations of
DSRP? (DSRP report date to be
mentioned).
5. What exactly we are intending to
assess or evaluate by getting studies
conducted through CSIR-CIMFR?
6. a) What is tomography of dam?
Blasting and its continuous Monitoring are required to be carried out in a manner, so that, the
primary objective to achieve safety concern for both dam and mentioned villages and people
residing there, in terms of both PPV level and Air Overpressure, can be accomplished.
 Since, several quarries are in operation, the blasting pattern recommended for one Quarry cannot be
used for other quarries and keeping in view of the same, further field studies are required to be
carried out.
 It is further suggested that, blasting practices in general, carried out by Quarry and Crushers Owners,
may be under continuous supervision so that, the safe charge limit along with other blast design
parameters which are to be decided based on further site investigations, are not exceeded. Day to
day records of blasting pattern comprising of parameters such as burden, spacing , depth of hole,
diameter of hole, stemming length, number of holes per blast and charge weight per delay may be
kept by the Quarry Owners so that, the same can be made available in future to various Authorities.
DSRP Report dated 15-09-2020 & their recommendations are
 All Mining activity in a radius of about 25 kms around the dam site be banned until expert opinion is
obtained through CWPRS or NIRM after proper on ground tests, Evolve specifications for safe
blasting in consultation with NIRM, who have a record of proven expertise on this project. The
comprehensive study being undertaken by CWPRS, Pune as part of investigation be allowed to be
carried to obtain recommendations for regulation of blasting activities taking place surrounding KRS
Dam.
 Necessary protection to scientist, staff and equipments of CWPRS, Pune, should be provided by D.C.
Mandya for conducting investigative studies.
 After receiving the two reports as above a proper procedure be laid down to carry out blasting as per
specification under constant supervision by a licensed blast-man and same should be insisted and
made mandatory by licensing authorities.
 DSRP also advise to carry out works at the dam site as per the various recommendations made after
the last visit of July 2014 to enhance safety of the Dam structure.
CSIR-CIMFR intending to conduct trial blast studies & their Objectives are:
 To measure the induced ground vibrations due to blasting activity in and around KRS dam
 Experimental blasting will be done at different locations , for different diameters, and by varying
quantum of blasting material
 For each blast they measure peak particle velocity (ppv < 2mm/sec)
 Finally they give distance upto which no quarrying activity is to be done.
 A method of producing a three-dimensional image of the internal structures of a solid object by the
observation and recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy
impinging on those structures.
 b) What exactly we are intending
to assess or evaluate by
proposing tomography & geo-
physical studies of KRS dam?
7. How exactly the studies by CSIR–
CIMFR & tomography & geo-physical
studies differ each other?
 The objective of the study is to assess internal condition of the dam by using non-destructive surface
geophysical investigations using Electrical Resistivity Imaging, Streaming Potential Survey, MASW and
cross face seismic tomography.
 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging- To get a picture of internal resistivity distribution of the dam,
identifying areas of water saturation, if any Streaming Potential survey – to understand active
seepage zones.
 MASW (multichannel analysis of surface waves) - To determine shear parameters of the material to
enable assessment on degradation. Cross Face Seismic Tomography – Considering the size and height
of the dam, it is proposed to conduct seismic tomography to get more detailed assessment of the
structure
CSIR–CIMFR
 Carries out Studies regarding the blasting impact on the dam structure and reservoir by carrying out
trial blasting. They carry out a trial blast from different quarries and measure the vibrations recorded
at the dam site and nearby villages and accordingly demarcate the quarries for closure or
recommend the safe blast practice in the quarry.
 CSIR–CIMFR help us in building a policy for regulations specifying the threshold level of blasting
vibration, safe blasting pattern and other associated parameters.
 CSIR–CIMFR provide a entire set of guidelines to be followed /directives for the drilling machines,
excavators, explosives, and other earth moving equipment which can be used in the quarry area
(safe quarries). These directives will help in ensuring that big blasts are not conducted in the safe
quarries without the consent of concerned regulating agencies like Mines & Geology and District
administration.
Geo-physical studies.
Geophysical investigations involve simple methods of study made on the surface with the aim of ascertaining
subsurface detail. This is achieved by measuring certain physical properties and interpreting them mainly in
terms of subsurface geology.
Importance of Geophysical Investigations
Geophysical methods are gaining importance very rapidly because of their success in solving a vast variety of
problems. These investigations are carried out quickly. This means large area can be investigated in a
reasonable short period and hence time is saved with non destructive instruments.
The geophysical instruments used in the field are simple, portable and can be operated easily.
 To get a picture of internal resistivity distribution of the dam, identifying areas of water saturation, if
any Streaming Potential survey – to understand active seepage zones.
 To determine shear parameters of the material to enable assessment on degradation.
 The objective of the study is to assess internal condition of the dam by using non-destructive surface
geophysical investigations using Electrical Resistivity Imaging, Streaming Potential Survey, MASW and
cross face seismic tomography.
Conclusion :
Geo-physical studies are a non destructive surface geophysical investigations, material properties and In-situ
mass density compare to nuclear bore test geo-physical analysis is safe to KRS dam structure.

CSIR–CIMFR help us in building a policy for regulations specifying the threshold level of blasting vibration&
PPV (Peak Particle Velocity) in mm/s , safe blasting pattern and other associated parameters to set of
guidelines to be followed /directives. A boundary can fix based on their recommendations.