A visit to -> Tehri Dam

Recently on our anniversary we had a chance to visit Tehri Dam.

I personally feel if my husband wouldn't have insisted to visit Tehri and haven't showed me the marvelous work of Engineering then my trip to Uttarakhand would have remained incomplete.

During my UPSC preparations,i have read much about the Tehri movements..Anti Tehri movement ..Sundarlal Bahuguna..and all but it was read from exam point of view nothing more than that.

Tehri Dam is an Engineering Marvel ..such a vast structure..which had both positive amd negative stories to its credit.

It is 2nd tallest dam of Asia,of about 260.5m(855ft).

Earlier, it was first in Asia but after China's dam Tehri came to the second position.

Tehri dam is a earth fill embankment dam on the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers in Tehri-garhwal district in Uttarakhand,India.

It's a multi purpose dam contributing to the Electricity, Irrigation, drinking water and other needs of the nation.

Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) pvt ltd. Came into existence in 1988 to develop,operate and maintain the Tehri Hydro Power Complex and other Hydro Projects.

(The above picture is from Wikipedia and rest all are my own clicks).

This dam has been the object of protest from environmental groups and the people of Tehri and surrounding areas.

It's construction has relocated to almost 1,00,000 people.

Environmental concern has been raised from time to time as it is planned in the central Himalayan seismic gap,a major geological fault zone(as the region was the site of major earthquake of 1991).

Environmental activist like sundarlal Bahuguna,opposed to this project and went on to fast for 46 days which resulted in stopping the work of the dam for almost 70+ days.

Anti Tehri Dam Movement (ATDM) which was formed in 1978 organised demonstration,dharnas,pad yatras repeatedly to highlight the issues related to its construction.

The movement attempted to include the residents of the downstream region,who had been considered as the beneficiaries of dam into the movement by emphasising on the risk of flood if the dam collapses.

ATDM began to unite with other anti dam protest such as Anti Narmada movement and tried to grab the support of many journalists and experts.

In March 1992,a bus carrying the 16 people who were returning from the protest/movement fell from the cliff.Its is believed that it was the conspiracy of the group in support of the construction.

Slowly,the movement began to become sluggish and people started leaving their lands accepting the compensation offered by the government.

In sep 2003,the SC ordered that Tehri Dam was legal and the movement lost almost all the legal battles against the construction.

From 2000-2001,the administrative functions of the Tehri was transferred to New Tehri( a new town set up on the lines of old Tehri to give the same connection as old Tehri to its people).

All diversion tunnels were closed in November 2005 and the surrounding areas of Tehri were completely submerged under water.

Tehri Garhwal was ruled by Rajput Parmar(shah) Dynasty.Shah ruler constructed 110ft clock tower which is visible when water level goes down.

On the same pattern of Old Tehri ,New Tehri town was established. 

We went to New Tehri from Rishikesh on scooty driving for almost 70 km and stayed in Hotel shiv Palace.

Next day morning we went to see Tehri Dam which was almost 12-14km from their (i don't remember the exact distance).

My husband had a chance to see the dam during his college's industrial visit.so he took me to the point from where the dam can be seen and he went on to explain many things about the dam.

Then we met a soda wale bhaiya where we had soda and had a chance to interact with him.

Soda wale bhaiya told us that many people come with their children and grandchildren to show them their birth place which is now submerged.

He told that he have seen many people crying telling about their past to their offsprings.

From their we went on to go to water sports arena of the dam.

Yes, Government of Uttarakhand have promoted many water sports activities in the Tehri lake as tourism is the main source of revenue for the state.

These activities provide employment to local people attracting tourists.

This is the part visible and is said to be the king's palace which was at a height so it is not submerged yet.

 only visible lands or structure,rest everything is submerged.

There is also floating huts which is under the Le roi resorts.

We got a chance to see them from close while taking boat rides.

This set up is known as Little Maldives in India.

They are not yet fully developed (not fully occupied) as i felt it's not at all safe for  couples ..staying in the middle of a water body.

May be we may see them attracting more tourists towards them.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge "Blogaberry Dazzle" hosted by Cindy D'silva

and Noor Anand Chawla