STAGE – I (4 X 120MW)

NHPC Limited
(A Govt. of India Enterprise)
 INTERNSHIP
REPORT
URI POWER STATION, NHPC

HARSIMRAT SINGH

DEPTT.OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SHRI MATA VAISHNO DEVI UNIVERSITY, KATRA

UNDER THE KIND GUIDANCE OF

. N. SHRI NIVAS (Human resources)
. NELSON KINDO (Sr. Manager Barrage)
. AAKASH DEEP KUMAR (Sr. Manager Barrage)
. PREM KUMAR (DGM. Powerhouse)
. SUNNY GUPTA (Sr. Manager Powerhouse)
. SHIPRA KHARWAL (Sr. Manager Powerhouse)
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all who have
contributed to successfully completing my internship report on the Hydropower
project at URI. This endeavor would not have been possible without the support
and guidance of numerous individuals, and I would like to take this opportunity to
acknowledge their invaluable contributions.
First and foremost, I extend my deepest thanks to the management and staff of the
hydropower project at URI for granting me the opportunity to be a part of their
team. I am grateful for their warm welcome, encouragement, and the platform they
provided me to learn and grow in the field of hydropower.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors for their guidance,

mentorship, and continuous support throughout the internship. Their expertise,
patience, and willingness to share their knowledge have been instrumental in
shaping my understanding of the project and its intricacies. Their invaluable
feedback and constructive criticism have helped me refine my work and enhance
my skills.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to the faculty and staff of my

educational institution (SHRI MATA VAISHNU DEVI UNIVERSITY) for their
guidance and support throughout my internship period. Their encouragement,
advice, and expertise have significantly shaped my overall understanding of the
subject matter and refined my research and analytical skills.

To all those who have contributed directly or indirectly to the successful

completion of my internship report, I offer my deepest gratitude. Your support and
guidance have been instrumental in shaping my professional growth and enhancing
my understanding of the hydropower project at URI.

Thank you once again for being an integral part of my journey.

Sincerely,
[HARSIMRAT SINGH]
 FOREWORD

Uri Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-the-river scheme built on the Jhelum River in

District Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir State to generate 480MW power in the
first phase to utilize the net head of 222.5m from four generating units of 120 MW
each. There is a provision to add another 480 MW capacity under the second phase
envisaged in this scheme.

This Project is situated in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayan Mountains in
Kashmir. The rocks ranging from Precambrian age to recent to sub-recent times are
exposed at and around the project area. Building a hydroelectric project in
Himalayan terrain has always been a challenging task and the construction of the
Uri HE Project was not an exception.

This project was investigated in 1972 by the Power Development Department of

J&K State. The Project was handed over to NHPC for execution in 1981. NHPC
also carried out some pre-construction stage investigations during and after 1987.
Thereafter the construction of the entire project was awarded for execution on a
turnkey basis including financing to a Swedish-British Consortium. The
Consortium contractors did a balance pre-construction investigation also.

Over-ground works of the project mainly consist of a barrage, head regulator, cut
and cover section, a desilting arrangement with two desilting chambers followed by
an open channel and forebay portion, silt flushing tunnels, silt extracting system,
etc., surplus escape system, cut and cover sections under Buniyar Nallah and intake
structure.

Underground works consist of a 10.65 km long headrace tunnel and 2.06 km long
tailrace tunnel, Power House cavern, Transformer cavern, Draft tube and tailrace
outlet gate caverns, surge shaft, downstream and upstream surge galleries, pressure
shaft, etc. Total tunneling in the project was about 22km.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF URI NHPC

Technical Features

Location Uri Tehsil, Distt. Baramulla, Union Territory of J&K.

Approach Nearest rail head: Udhampur/Jammu; Nearest Airport: Srinagar

Capacity 480 MW (4 X 120 MW)

Design Energy 2587.38 MU (90 % dependable year with 95% machine availability)

Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir,

Beneficiary States/UTs
Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttrakhand & Uttar Pradesh.

Date of Commercial
01/06/1997(All 4 units)
Operation (COD)

Barrage:
Length 95.0 m
Height 20.0 m
FRL 1491 m
MDDL 1491 m
HRT:
Type Horse shoe shape
Dia Dia 8.4 m
Length 10.63 Km
Pressure shaft:
Type Circular Steel lined back filled
Dia 5.0 m

TRT/Tail pool details

Type Horse shoe shape
Dia 8.4 m
length 2.0 Km
Max TWL 1235 m

Power House:
Type Underground
Capacity Comprising of 4 generating units of 120 MW each.
Turbine
Type Francis
Rated head 222.5 m
Design discharge 237 cumecs (for all 04 units)
Number of guide vanes 20
Generator
Rated Continuous output: 136 MVA
Rated Voltage 13.8 kV
No of Poles 18
Rated speed 333.33 RPM
Generator Step-up Transformer (GSU)
Type Single phase
Voltage Ratio 13.8/400/√3 kV
Rated MVA 50 MVA
Type of cooling OFWF
Pot head yard
Type GIS
Voltage level 400 kV

No. of lines 03 Nos.

400 kV: – Uri- Amargarh Double Circuit and Uri - Uri II
BARRAGE
*SPILLWAY GATES
Radial Gates:- Six identical radial gates are installed having two power packs, one
for each three gates. The reservoir oil capacity is 1500 ltrs.
Main Data
Clear span 8.0 M
Gate height 8.5 M
Skill level 1483.75 M
Upstream retention level 1491.0 M
Exceptional WL 1495.0 M (gate open)
Operating Speed 0.5 M/min (nominal)
Stoplogs reception frame – same as for under sluice gate

*UNDER SLUICE GATES:

Radial Gate: Three identical under sluice radial gates are installed. All three have
a common power pack having a reservoir oil capacity of 1500 ltrs. Every gate has
two cylinders operated by a pump for each.
Main Data

Clear span 8.0 M

Gate height 9.25 M
Sill level 1483.0 M
Upstream retention level 1491.0 M
Exceptional WL 1495.0 M (Gate open)
Operational speed 0.5 m/min

Stoplog reception frames: - Three sets of fabricated steel embedded frames

for an 8M clear span opening are provided
Main Data
Clear span/opening 8.0 M
Skill level 1483.0 M
Side guide level 1497.0 M
Sealing face material: S/S

Upstream Stoplog:- One set of sliding stop logs for 8.0 M span clear openings
comprising four identical fabricated sections making up a total height of 8.4 M has
been provided. Stoplog sections are interchangeable.
Main Data
The clear span of the opening 8.0 M
No. of sections 4
Total height of stop log set 8.4 M
No. of by-pass valves 2
Size of by-pass valves 250 mm dia

Travelling Gantry:- One electrically operated traveling gantry specifically for

handling the 8.0 M span spillway and under sluice opening stop logs sections
equipped with an automatic lifting beam and complete with necessary rail track has
been provided.
Main Data
Gantry capacity: 10 Ton Hoist speed Fast 3.0 M/min Slow 0.5 M/min
Travel speed Fast 15.0 M/min Slow3.0 M/min
Rail length 97.0 m

Radial Gates:- Two 16m span x6.2m deep open channel radial gates of steel
fabricated construction complete with embedded sealing reception frames and
trunnion pivots brackets have been installed. Gates are fitted with the appropriate
adjustable side seals and direct contact sill seals.

The operating equipment consists of two pivoted hydraulic servo cylinders and an
electrically driven oil pump for each gate. The hydraulic oil is kept in a reservoir
having a capacity of 1000 liters.
Main Data:

Clear span
-16 M
Gate height - 6.2 M
Skill level -1485.4M
Upstream retention level -1491.0 M
Max. upstream water level -1493 M
Operating Speed - 0.5 M/min (nominal)

Intake Screens: - Two sets of fixed Intake screens each covering a 16.0 M span
x 8.0 M deep opening and set at 15o inclination. The screens are designed to
withstand an overall head loss of 4.0 M and are free from vibration under 50%
blockage condition at the rated inflow.
Main Data:
Clear span per opening -16.0 M
Sill Level -1485.4 M
Design head - 4.0 M
Material - Carbon steel
Stop log Reception Frames: - Two sets of fabricated steel embedded frames
for 16.0 M clear span openings comprising sill and side members designed to
receive the stop log sections and provide necessary sealing.
Main Data
Clear span per opening -16.0 M
Sill level -1485.4 M
Side guide level -1497.0 M
Material -Stainless Steel

Upstream Stop logs: - One set of sliding stop logs suitable for 16.0 M span
clear openings, and comprising three identical fabricated sections making up an
overall height of 6.6 M.
The stop logs sections are interchangeable. It is provided with an integral bypass
valve system operated by the lifting beam hooks.
Main Data
The clear span of the opening 16.0 M
No. of sections 3
Total height of stop log sets 6.6 M
No. of bypass valve/section 2
Size of bypass valve 250mm dia

Travelling Gantry:- One electrically operated traveling gantry specifically for

handling the head regulator stop log sections, equipped with an automatic lifting
beam and complete with rail track with necessary stop end anchors has been
provided.

Main Data

Gantry capacity 30 T

Hoist speed Fast Slow 3.0 M/min

0.5 M/min

Travel speed Fast Slow 15.0 M/min

3.0 M/min
60.0 M
Rail length
DESILTING BASIN GATES:
There are 46 no. concrete stolon gates (3mX3m) for each basin to isolate each
desilting basin. The stop logs gate can be operated by means of a mobile crane.

CULVERT INTAKE GATES:

Two identical culvert intake gates (7.0x9.0m) are installed as part of the culvert
intake installation. The gates are located at the downstream end of the head race
canal at the intake to the culvert/ Tunnel system. It is of the upstream sealing type
designed to withstand a full unbalance head in both directions, however, each gate
is designed to effectively seal against

upstream head only. Each intake gate is operated by a single hydraulic cylinder
which retracts to open the gate. Each intake gate is designed to gravity close under
balanced no-flow conditions & is capable of opening to the “cracked open”
position against a fully unbalanced upstream retention head, enabling the tunnel to
be filled. Normally both gates are operated simultaneously.
Main Data

Type Vertical lift wheel gate

Gate width 8350mm over guide shoes
Gate depth 9300mm
INTAKE SCREEN RACKING GANTRY:
The intake screen racking gantry runs on deck rails above the intake screen and is
used to position the screen rake at each grid. The gantry is electrically driven in
both forward & reverse directions at 17.5 m/minute. The travel motor has an
inching facility to enable accurate positioning of the gantry. Mounted on the gantry
is a raking carriage. The raking machine cleans the bar screens installed in the
culvert intake section.
Main Data

Hoist capacity 2200 Kgs

Debris mass 1000 Kgs
Rake weight 800 Kgs including friction
Rake span 3.0 meter nominal
Power Supply 415 v, 3 phase, 50Hz
Hoist motor 5.5 kW at 1440 rpm
Overall height 4.5 meters

TUNNEL INTAKE GATE:

One No. tunnel intake gate is located immediately downstream of the culvert under
the Buniyar Nallah River.
The gate is fitted with sill, side, and lintel sealing elements located on the upstream
side of the unit.

Main Data
The clear span of culvert 7.0 M
Clear Depth of culvert 9.0 M
Skill level 1462.5 M
Retention level 1491.0 M
Gate lowering condition Balanced
Travelling Gantry: - One electrically operated traveling gantry is provided for
operating the intake tunnel isolating gate.
Main Data

Gantry capacity 77-Tonne (point lift)

Hoist/lowering speed Fast 3.0 M/min Slow 0.3 M/min
Travel speedFast 5.0 M/min Slow 1.25 M/min

*PENSTOCK INTAKE GATES

Two identical (5.0mx7.0m) Penstock intake gates are located at the Surge shaft,
40 meters upstream of the vertical Penstock axis. The gates enable isolation of their
respective penstock to allow for maintenance and inspection of the penstock lining
& turbine main Inlet Valves. These gates are designed to withstand & seal against
normal & surge upstream water levels with no water downstream. Each Penstock
gate is raised & lowered independently by a dedicated 45-tonne hoist assembly
located at El 1541 meters at the top of the surge shaft.

Main Data
Type Vertical lift slide type/Rope drum hoist
Gate width 5570mm over the bottom of guides
Gate height 7250 mm

*DRAFT TUBE GATES

Four identical draft tube gates are installed downstream of the Turbine installation
to enable each turbine to be isolated from the tailrace prior to dewatering the
respective turbine. The draft tube gates are designed for hydrostatic loads from the
tailrace sides only. Each draft tube gate is positioned, raised, and lowered
independently by a dedicated 40-tonne overhead traveling gantry crane.

Main Data
Type Vertical lift
Gate Width 7,350 mm, over guide shoes Gate Depth 6,100 mm
Gross Weight 21,800 kgs
Crane Capacity 40.0-Tonne (2-point lift)
*TAILRACE OUTLET STOP LOGS AND CRANE

In order to enable maintenance of the Tailrace Tunnel, each of the tailrace outlet
bifurcated tunnel openings is provided with an identical set of tail race stop log
reception frames. Two sets of tailrace stop logs are provided which enable both
openings to be isolated simultaneously. Each set of tailrace stop logs consists of 3
lower and 1 upper stop log unit. The tailrace outlet stop logs must be raised and
lowered under balanced conditions only, for which a bypass valve is fitted. The
tailrace outlet stop logs are positioned, lowered, or raised by means of a dedicated
automatic lifting beam attached to the stop log overhead traveling crane.

Main Data
Clear Span 4000 mm
Clear depth 7850 mm Gantry Crane capacity 6.30 Ton

* *
POWERHOUSE
Mechanical Equipment:

• Turbine:
Four identical hydraulic turbines are installed in the powerhouse. Each turbine
is a vertical Francis reaction type with a turbine shaft coupled to the generator
rotor shaft. Rotation is clockwise when viewed from the generator with rotating
mass supported by the generator thrust bearing. Each turbine assembly
consists of:
- A spiral casing & staying assembly.

- A top cover Assembly.

- A bottom cover assembly.

- A guide vane apparatus assembly.

- Dual servo motor (hydro)

- A draft tube cone & liner assembly.

- A runner & shaft assembly.

- A shaft seal assembly.

- A guide-bearing assembly.

- An overspeed device assembly.

- Actual line nonreturn grease lubrication system.

Spiral casing & staying assembly: The spiral casing is a steel plate welded
to the staying during initial installation. The steel plate staying is a welded
assembly consisting of top & bottom slabs joined by 19 nos. profiled stay
vanes. On assembly of the turbine, the bottom staying slab carries the turbine
bottom cover assembly and the top staying slab locates & secures the top
cover assembly. In order to provide drainage, 4 Nos. stay vanes are internally
drilled with a 30mm Ø passage, which extends from the top to the bottom
staying.

The inlet pipe is welded to the thrust collar and enables connection of the
spiral casing & staying assembly to the Main Inlet Valve dismantling joint. A
manhole provides access to the spiral casing.

Top Cover Assembly: It is a steel welded fabrication secured to the top

staying slab. The top cover provides the mountings for the upper guide vane
bearing assembly. It also provides the mountings for the upper wear ring,
turbine shaft seal assembly, and turbine shaft guide bearing assembly.

The upper wear ring is assembled inside the top cover assembly. Four holes
are provided through the top cover and upper wear ring flanges to enable
checking clearances between the wear ring and runner. Drilling through the top
coverand upper wear ring flange are connected to scour pipes to enable water
flowfor removing debris and silt deposits that may accumulate.

The upper guide vane bearing is self-lubricated sintered bronze and the
intermediate bearing is leaded bronze lubricated by the lubrication system
through a lubrication pipe routed through the bearing housing.

Bottom Cover Assembly: It is a steel welded fabrication secured to the

bottom staying slab with 3mm thick ceramic-filled epoxy resin bonded to the
inner surface which provides a hard-wearing surface in close proximity to the
runner to reduce erosion. This provides mounting for the lower guide vane
bearing and draft tube cone assembly.

Guide Vane Apparatus Assembly: Twenty guide vanes are positioned

between the top and bottom cover assemblies. Each vane is a solid stainless-
steelcasting forming a blade, directing the water into the runner. The guide vane
blades have an aerofoil profile with a rounded nose and tapered tail.

It consists of a guide vane hub, guide vane lever, ring feeder, Cover plate, link-
regulating ring, connecting rod, etc.

Hydraulic Servomotor Arrangement: A left and right-hand hydraulic

servomotor is connected to the guide vane regulating ring connecting rods.
The hyd. Servomotors operate in opposite directions to open or close the
variable inlet guide vanes.

Draft Tube Cone and Liner Assemblies: This directs the water from the
turbine towards the tailrace and provides a passageway with increasing cross-
sectional area. The installation consists of the following:

- Upper draft tube Cone: Welded S S/carbon steel fabrication with

external ribs.

- A lower turbine wear ring: SS lower wear ring is assembled inside the
upper draft tube cone.

- A lower draft tube cone: Welded steel fabrication with draft tube door to
provide access.

- A draft tube liner assembly: MS fabrication manufactured in 4 pieces

welded at the site. The liner converts a circular inlet into a rectangular
outlet and turns the flow through 90o toward the TRT. It is embeddedin
concrete.
Runner & Shaft Assembly: The runner is a Francis reaction typepositioned
centrally between the upper and lower wear rings with a specified peripheral
clearance. The runner is a machined stainless-steel casting in which water
enters radially from the variable inlet guide vanes and is discharged axially
into the draft tube. 16 studs and ring nuts couple the runnerto the turbine shaft.
The turbine shaft is machined to accommodate the guide-bearing assembly
and fitted with a guide-bearing oil pot, and upper and lower throw rings.

Turbine shaft Seal Assembly: The function of the shaft seal is to prevent
water from escaping from the runner chamber by sealing the turbine shaft and
top cover assembly. The dynamic sealing face is a stainless-steel cone
assembly, clamped securely to the turbine shaft bearing against the upper
cone surface,a static end seal is clamped to the seal sleeve assembly located
around the turbine shaft. The sleeve assembly carries weights on the upper
flange to loadthe end seal into the cone. Internal holes through the end seal
and seal sleeve assembly direct cooling water to the sealing face to reduce
friction, heat generation, and seal wear. A four-piece top cover is assembled
around the turbine shaft enclosing the seal.

Guide Bearing Assembly: The guide bearing assembly locates the turbine
shafts and provides radial bearing surfaces enclosed in a bearing spider
which provides a lubricating oil bath system. The bearing spider is a steel
welded fabrication secured to the turbine top cover assembly. The bearing
spider is connected to the guide-bearing oil pot located on the turbine shaft.
Eight MS bearing pads with white metal bearing surfaces are positioned
around the turbine shaft inside the bearing spider. Each pad sits on a padded
insert and is located by the pad retaining screw. The pads are accurately
positioned by the thrust rod which is set with selectively fitted shims to allow
the permitted clearance. This assembly is secured with a thrust screw which
incorporates an extractor hole. Four oil coolers are fitted inside the bearing
spider, one on each arm. The rotational movement of the turbine shaft, which
forces oil upwards, generates oil circulation. The oil is then directed by a
trough into the oil cooler.
 Over Speed Device Assembly: - A striker arrangement is firmly secured to
the turbine shaft above the turbine guide bearing cover and rotates with the
shaft. The striker is set to operate if the turbine shaft speed exceeds the
design figure of approx. 490 rpm.

Dual Line non-return grease lube. System: The grease lube. A system
consisting of a pumping unit, metering valves, etc. provides lubrication to each
intermediate and lower guide vane bearing as also to the MIV trunnions.

• Turbine Inlet Valves: - Four spherical-type turbine inlet valves, for primary
control of water entry to their respective turbines, have been installed. The MIV
is rigidly connected to the penstock and the turbine spiral casing and isolates
the turbine from the high-pressure system when the unit is shut down. The MIV
is opened by twin oil pressure-operated servomotors and is closed by an
elevated counterweight lever with the servomotors acting as dashpots.
 The MIV functions similarly to a conventional ball valve except that there is a
clearance between the rotor and the body. The clearance is closed at both
ends by sealing rings called service seal (d/s end) and maintenance seal (u/s
end).

The MIV assembly consists of the following: -

- Valve body
- Valve rotor assembly
- Trunnion and operating gear assembly.
- Maintenance and service seal assembly.
- Servomotor assembly etc.

-
-
-

• Cooling Water System: - The cooling water system is an indirect system

comprising of an open circuit raw water system and a closed loop clean water
system.
 The raw water open loop consists of the following: -

- Raw water pumps

- Heat exchanger
- Duplex strainers
- Isolating and non-return valves and associated pipework etc.

The closed loop consists of:

- Clean water pumps

- Clean water delivery bus main
- Clean water returns bus main
- Isolating and non-return valves
- Flow relays
- Header tan
In addition, one raw water system is also provided for the supply of cooling water to the shaft
seal. This system comprises of:-

-Two No. screw pumps

-Strainers and flushing arrangement
-Isolating and non-return valves
-Flow relays etc.

•Drainage and Dewatering System: - There are two drainage and dewatering pits, one serving
units 1 & 2 and the other units 3 & 4. Each pit consists of the following:

-Dewatering pump
-Two drainage pumps
-Isolating and non-return valves and associated pipework
-A set of level control equipment
-A local drainage and dewatering panel.

Synchronous condenser equipment: - The turbine units have been provided with a
system for suppression of the draft tube water level in order toreduce the power input
whilst the units are “motoring” and synchronized to thegrid i.e., running in synchronous
condenser mode.

The system can be interlinked to provide additional or standby capacity and

comprise of the following:

- Air compressors
- Air receivers
- Automatic air admission valves
- Suction cone level control devices
- Automatic air release valves
- Isolating, non-return valves, and associated pipework
- Level control panels

• Governor and Maintenance Air System: - Two no. compressors have been
provided for supplying a reservoir of compressed air at 80 bars to enable
replenishment of turbine governor air/oil receiver pre-charge pressure for all
four turbine installations.

The system comprises the following:

- Governor air compressor

- Air receiver
- Relief and Isolation valves and associated pipework
- Local control panel etc.

The station compressed air system provides a low-pressure ring main suitable for the operation
of pneumatic tools adjacent to each generating unit. Tapping points are available by each
turbine, generator, and on the erection bay.

• Oil Handling System:- One station oil handling system for purifying the oil in
the Generator and Turbine bearings and Governor oil pumping sets has been
provided. It comprises of the following:
 - A portable motor-driven centrifugal purifier
- A set of supply and return flexible connections
- A portable pump for refilling oil after cleaning

• Station Fire Protection System: - A complete station fire protection system

based on water and CO2 has been provided which includes the following:
- Water supply pumps with external storage tank pipework and valves.

- Automatic water sprinkler systems for transformers, cables, ventilation

tunnel, and shunt reactors. This system comprises the deluge valves,
compressors, isolation valves, and associated pipe work.
- Fire hose reels located at suitable intervals in all parts of the powerhouse

- Fire alarm system

- Two central panels collecting information from the detectors

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS

•Civil Works:

Problems During Construction:

High-pressure water seepage in Tunnel: During the excavation of the headrace tunnel and
admits high-pressure water seepage was observed at many locations which was hindering the
progress of work. The pressure was so high that the charging of blast holes was difficult as the
high-pressure water was pushing the explosives out of the holes.

The problem was tackled by doing advance pre-grouting of the area to stop the water flow.

Movement of rock in Machine Hall area: During the excavation of Bus Bar galleries excessive
movement of the rock/walls of the Machine Hall and Transformer Halls were observed. To
overcome this problem, the excavation was stopped and pre-stressed cable anchors were
installed at various locations to arrest the movement. The movement was monitored by the
installation of extensometers. In addition, a 1mtr. thick concrete was provided in the busbar
galleries as extra support.

Week Rock Zone in Adit-V- D/S Surge Gallery: During the excavation of the adit V- D/S surge
gallery, a weak rock zone was encountered. Tunneling in this zone was felt to be almost
impossible. To overcome this problem, realignment of the adit- V and D/S surge gallery was
made so that tunnel would pass through better rock strata.
Abnormally weak rock conditions in Tail Race Tunnel:- During the excavation of TRT abnormally
weak rock conditions were encountered in a length of approx-300 M. To tackle this zone, a
multi-drift tunneling method was adopted and fiber-reinforced shotcrete arches were provided.

Post-commissioning problem: The structure constructed by M/s Uri Civil is functioning very
satisfactorily except some cracks have been observed in the Deck slab of the Desilting Basin
area which were kept under observation.

•Hydro-mechanical Works:

Problems during Commissioning:

Leakage through Penstock Gates:

The measured leakage rate for the penstock intake gates was found to be above the acceptance
leakage rate of 2.45 lbs per gate. The leakage rate for gate 1 was initially 4.86 lps but dropped
to 2.52 lbs. The leakage rate for gate 2 was averaged to 4.04 lbs. M/s KBC found it virtually
impossible to improve this leak rate any further as no access could be gained to the back side of
the gate to determine exactly where the leak is coming from. Since the leakage rate was within
the capacity of the drain, the leakage was accepted.

Post commissioning Problems

Failure of pinch valve sleeves: -

The first lot of pinch valve sleeves installed during the commissioning of the project failed
prematurely during the defect liability period itself. The failure rate was extremely high and the
cause of failure was analyzed by M/s KBC and M/s Red valve who is the actual manufacturer.
An independent committee of Experts was also formed to investigate the cause of failure. As per
the experts' recommendations, a leak test was to be performed on the improved pinch valve
sleeves to establish the appropriate margin of operating pressure required for the service
operation of the valves. Further cyclic testing of the valve sleeves was also performed for
helping further the development of the pinch valve sleeves.

Subsequent to the testing, it was decided to install a new set of pinch valve sleeves and monitor
their performance in service. A more extensive inspection of the sleeves was carried out prior to
shipping them to the site and an extended warranty for 3 years has been provided by M/s KBC
to establish the credibility of the system. After the installation of a new set of pinch valve
sleeves, the failures were replaced by M/s KBO.

It was practically seen that lot of water gets wasted while sleeves fail and are changed. It is felt
that there should have been a provision of a maintenance valve upstream of pinch valves.

Failure of passive air admission System: -

The passive air admission system developed by M/s KBC has not been successful. The valves
installed initially in Unit No. 1 malfunctioned as a result of which a lot of water from the draft tube
came out into the machine hall. The Unit was de-watered and on inspection, it was found that
the bottom valve was damaged completely. M/s KBC investigated the problem under the defect
liability clause and came up with an intermediate solution by refining the design of the valves.
The four sets of valves thus developed were fitted in all the units, the last of which was installed
on 10/12/98. However, these valves also failed. M/s KBC was developing a suitable solution for
this problem.

Trash Cleaning System:

Since there has been no provision for a Trash cleaning machine at the Head Regulator Intake
Screens, the trash intercepted here needs to be manually cleaned. It is felt that a trash cleaning
should have been provided at the Head Regulator instead of the Buniyar culvert intake. It was
also observed that the trash cleaning machine provided at the Buniyar culvert intake is not
effective in cleaning the trash as such the trash at the Buniyar intake is also manually removed.

•Electrical Works :
Post Commissioning problems:

Generator:-

A stator earth fault occurred in unit No. 3 on Sept. 98 causing severe damage to a part of the
winding. The entire repair work was carried out by ABB, Sweden at a cost of Rs. 58.00 lacs to
NHPC.

Another stator earth fault occurred in Unit No. 2 on Nov. 98. Which was also got rectified through
ABB, Sweden a cost of RS. 17 lacs. On inspection of Unit No. 1 & 4, it was found that the turns
of two parallel paths were wrongly connected, i.e. contrary to the provisions in the drawing. Also,
a developing inter-turn fault was located in Unit No. 4, and the same was rectified. ABB, Sweden
however did not agree to attribute these faults to design-manufacturing or erection defects
although the faults were similar in all the units.

- A pole developed an inter-turn fault in unit No. 1 in Sept. 99. This was replaced by a
spare pole in consultation with ABB, Sweden.

- Thrust bearing temperature was abnormally high since commissioning. Even after
implementing the revised temperature settings as advised by ABB, the problem was persisting.

Transformer: -

One generator transformer (Unit No. 3 red phase) developed a fault in June,
99. This was replaced by the spare transformer. ABB, Sweden could not depute its specialists
for inspection of the failed transformer due to security reasons. NHPC sent this transformer for
repair at BHEL Bhopal Unit.

Gas-Insulated Switchgear: -

There has been a gas leakage in the red phase Q1 isolator chamber of Unit No. 1 since June,
98. The matter was referred to ABB, Sweden, and the problem was kept under observation as
advised by ABB.
400 KV Oil Filled Cables: -

In the blue phase cable of lines No. 1 and 2, oil pressure was observed to be low compared to
other phases since May, 98. In all probability, the drop could be due to internal leakage in the
oil-filled cables since commissioning.
In the blue phase cable of line No. 1, an oil pressure alarm appeared on Oct. 98 and oil was
filled to increase the pressure.
In the blue phase cable of line No. 2, an oil pressure alarm appeared in Dec. 98 and oil was
filled to increase the pressure.
The spare cable of 20m in length was also found to have leaked completely in April, 99.
ABB experts came to the site on Oct 99 and defects in line No.1 and the spare cable were
rectified. Defects in line No.2 were kept under observation as desired by ABB.
It is felt that defects can be best termed latent defects. Leakage from spare cable, which was not
in use, shows inherent problems in the cables.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE URI HE PROJECT

REHABILITATION

The “Rehabilitation Master Plan” was prepared by NHPC in 1992. The rehabilitation plan has
been implemented by providing cash compensation to over 470 families of project-affected
peoples (PAPS) for their houses, land, rice mill, shop, etc. This compensation has been used by
these project-affected people for the construction of new houses at places of their Choice.
Besides this the various benefit extended to the project affected peoples are as follows: -

Training facilities: -

In order to generate self-employment, training in the field of backyard poultry farming was
arranged by NHPC for the Project Affected People through the Animal Husbandry Department of
the Government of J&K. Under this scheme 165 PAPS have been imparted training.

Reconstruction of Religious Places: -

The compensation for the mosque affected at Buniyar was paid and the new mosque was
constructed at Kanchan Village which is being used by the locals.

Water Supply Scheme at Buniyar: -

A water supply scheme has been got executed by PHE Department Baramulla at the cost of
NHPC. Under this scheme, a Reservoir having a 10,000-gallon capacity has been constructed.
The scheme is supplying water to about 1000 affected persons in the village of Buniyar.
Additional connections have been provided to two mosques, one higher secondary school, and
one primary

school in the area. Besides this, connections have also been provided to the people in the
village of Kharpura.
AFFORESTATION

Compensatory Afforestation

According to the compensatory afforestation scheme of Uri HE Project which was prepared in
consultation with J&K Forest Department, 1,54,000 trees were to be planted in 62.7 hect. of
degraded forest land in Compartment No. 21-22 of Kathai Range in Baramulla District. Up to the
end of 1989 J&K Forest Department had done barbed wire fencing and planted 1.56 lac plants
in 64 hect., in three enclosures namely LAR-A, LAR-B, and Kanchan. These enclosures fall in
the higher reaches and were prone to snowfall and landslides. As a result, the survival rate of
the plants was not satisfactory. Therefore, 1,15,000 plants were planted against the casualties in
1990-91. However, as per the recommendation of POE, the plantation of 50,000 more trees has
also been done in March 1996.

Even before the start of the Catchment Area Treatment Plan an afforestation scheme submitted
by DFO, JV Division Baramulla for afforestation work in compartment 1E/5 Khadinyar range for
years 1991-92 to 1995-96 has been implemented. Under this scheme, 1,64,000 trees have been
planted in two compartments and 36,700 trees have been planted against the beating of failure.

Voluntary Afforestation: -

Besides compensatory afforestation, about 42,000 plants of shade-providing and fruit-bearing

species have been planted in the Project Colonies/Area.

CATCHMENT AREA TREATMENT (CAT)

Uri CAT project implementation program with an estimated cost of Rs.

382.05 lacs were taken up for execution through J&K Forest Department in the month of Oct-
Nov 1994. A special Uri CAT cell headed by the Deputy Conservator of Forest has been created
by the Forest Department. The aim of the project is to treat about 4857 hect. of land having
moderate to severe erosion possibility in 9 micro watersheds falling in the catchment of the Uri
Project. Identification of these areas is based on a study of remote sensing data of satellite
imageries conducted by the Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre, Nagpur, and a ground
survey by the J&K Forest Department. The major thrust of the project is basically on the
conservation and improvement of land to arrest the erosion of the hills to prevent siltation of the
reservoir. The micro watersheds chosen for the treatment are Limber, Nowshera, and Buniyar.
Limber is the main micro watershed where the programs are concentrated most. The objectives
of the project are achieved through an integrated approach of a massive afforestation program
and soil and water conservation works like contour bunding, bench terracing, gully control,
stream banking protection, landslide control, vegetative spur, etc. To date over 7.0 lac plants
have been planted. The survival rate of these plants is quite satisfactory and the protection
measures provided so far are observed to be stable and effective in arresting the silt.

The CAT works in addition to the other environmental aspects of the Uri Project were/are being
monitored every six months, through site inspection, by the SIDA Panel of Experts, including
Prof. Khanna, Director, NEERI, Nagpur as the Environmental Expert. The monitoring committee
also visited sites of CAT Works in Sept. 1998.
AQUATIC STUDY

Fish and Bottom Fauna Study in River Jhelum: -

In order to understand the effect of the Project on the fish and bottom fauna of River Jhelum,
four surveys were planned, three before and one after project commissioning. The first two
surveys were carried out in Nov. 90 and April- May 93 and the third one in July 1994 and the
post-commissioning survey in Oct. 1997 by the Fresh Water Research Institute (FWRI), Sweden
in co-ordination with the Zoology Department of Kashmir University and NHPC. Fish and bottom
fauna samples were collected at different locations of River Jhelum. The water samples of these
locations were analyzed for conductivity, pH, turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen
content. Fish samples were collected by electrofishing and gillnetting and were taken to FWRI,
Sweden for species identification. On the basis of this study, the design of the fishway was
finalized by SWECO in consultation with FWRI. The fishway has been constructed in Barrage to
facilitate the movement of the fish.

NHPC had entrusted the work of tagging experiment in the vicinity of fish ladders of Uri & Lower
Jhelum Barrages to Prof. Yousuf, Reader, and Zoology Department of Kashmir University
Srinagar who completed the work and submitted his report

Water Quality Analysis of River Jhelum/Control of Aquatic Weeds: -

The water testing equipment has been procured by NHPC. The periodic testing on specified
sites has been started since Dec. 1996. Accordingly, for the winter and summer months, the
water samples from different locations are collected by the NHPC team and tested for their
physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics. Parameters viz pH, temperature,
dissolved Oxygen, conductivity, nitrate, ammonia-N, phosphate, chloride, total alkalinity, iron,
total dissolved solids, and total hardness are tested at the site with the help of portable test kits.
Water samples for other parameters such as COD, BOD, E. coli, and total coliform are tested in
the laboratory at Corporate Office. The analytical results show that water is free from pollution.
There is no problem with aquatic weeds in the Reservoir right now.

LANDSCAPING AND RESTORATION OF QUARRY AND CONSTRUCTION SITES

The sites of spoil tips at different places have been mapped. The soil samples have also been
analyzed for their physical and chemical characteristics at NEERI, Nagpur.

NHPC prepared an action plan for “Revegetation of Spoil Tips through Integrated
Biotechnological Approach” in association with NEERI and Uri CAT Project, J&K Forest
Department at an estimated cost of Rs. 95.45 lacs. The plan envisaged treatment of about 95
hectares. of spoil tip areas through turfing and afforestation of suitable plant species of
ecological and economical value. It also includes the construction of a Children’s Park for the
locals near the village of Buniyar.

Implementation of this plan was entrusted to the Uri CAT Project and State Forest Department
as deposit work. The work was initiated in May, 97. The Restoration work has been
implemented in accordance with the Restoration Plan. As per Plan Parks, turfing at slopes and
plantation work have been done over Spoil Tips.
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