Koyna Kommentary

This is June 16 to 18 2009.

I had the opportunity of visiting the first 'Indian' dam to be built post independence and the largest in Maharashtra. The Koyna dam (actually the surroundings of it). Situated in the lush green Sahayadri range in western ghats, this dam is actually a collection of 4 mini dams. The large backwater apart from mainly providing hydroelectric power, irrigation and potable drinking water has made the surrounding forestation evergreen. The koyna dam appears very small as compared to others in the himalayas but still its unique engineering vision has made it really very special. Its 4 phases have ensured year round supply of water and electricity; even in the harsh month of May.

On reaching the hill-top overlooking the dam -site we saw just the first phase,this is the oldest and is a conventional hydro-electric power dam. But as always there always "more than what meets the eye" .All the remaing 3 phases are actually underground with water diverted to the turbines via tunnels cutting over 4km through the mountain range. The expanse of the mountain and the idea implemented left us spell bound, literally. The planning and excecution of this task is an engineering masterpiece with perfect management of the human needs and the geological and ecological balance.

We also got an insight into a technique called 'lake tapping' used in the third phase. Here the backwater (level which is the highest of all in summer) is diverted up the slope through a tunnel 80 meter in diameter. The water level pressure itself is used as a pump. So, a deep trench is dug underneth the expected trench. The expected trench (used to divert the water) is then exploded, with the water pressure pushing the debris down into the deerper dug trench; therby completing the water path to the turbine.

There is also a safety feature built into the entire system. By means of two surge wells over 800 meters deep, the backwater is allowed to swell in flood situations without overflowing from the dam. The enegry of this water is also harnessed to generate electricity. Standing on the cliff of the mountain with greenery sprawling all over, along with the gentle humming of the underground turbine was an amazing experience.

So now after trying to provide you the technical details, i must inform

you that 'permission' (read influence) is required to actually visit the dam site, the hydro-electric stations and the underground power stations. Having no such luck...we setteld for a virtual tour of the engineering marvel at Koyna provided by Nishigandha Vad; screened daily at the popular Nehru Udyan just flanking the main dam. Another point of note is that due to security arrangements( by way of jammers) no cellphones are of any use here. This i feel is a blessing in disguise, for giving us two days of completed respite.

We realy enjoyed our stay at koynanagar amidst the lush greenery, the local village folk and a total lack of any 'visitors'. Telling people that Koyna is a good place to vist, i find them stumped.

Hope you are too. :)

Happy Travelling !

Hope

After having said stuff in the last post i just couldnt stop myself from entering the Innovators of Tomorrow contest. People may Call this "Double Standards" -it may be to a certain extent but for me the 2 Lenovos were enough of a bait.

So heres my entry...lets see if it passes muster...

"Bionic Plant: With Global warming threatening all ice caps and polar glaciers there is a need to use up all the excess green house gases, like carbon di-oxide, to prevent global warming. The bionic plant would be a Silicon/photonic plant that will use the chemical properties of the material to produce oxygen from carbon di-oxide just like natural plants do by the process of photosynthesis. Modified versions of photosensitive Si would act like the Chlorophyll which is activated by light. Pressure transducers would control the valves of the stomata to let in carbondioxide and give out oxygen. The function of water and minerals would be done by Electrons/photons in the bionic plant. Using chemical nature green house gasses will be used up. Also this plant can survive severe polar winds and colds and hence global warming will reduce in the absense of natural plants that do not survive here....thereby saving the planet"

A Lakshadweep Adventure

Having nothing (much) to do...im sifting through 'old' photos...and i happend to lay my hands on these...our School trip to the Lakshadweep !

This was in...Nov. 2001...my first and last School Trip. The destination was exciting and caught the imagination of every 1 around. Add to that the availability of NVfood ( esp. sea food) on a school trip; which has been very traditionally V.

Now without rambling on about the things leading up to the trip...i start with the first days- a long train journey to Cochin, Kerala. This was a our base for the first 2 days...where in we managed to see much of this sleepy little city. We visited the Jewish Synagogue, the Chineese Fishing nets,the sea side avenue, the first Church in S.India and the huge local shopping complex.

Then came the part we were looking forward to the most...the sea journey from Cochin to Laksadweep aboard 'The Tipu Sultan'. The ship was magnificent and befitted the name...Huge decks and a very comfy lounge and dining area. We were shown our acco places which was an array of V small rooms ( i doubt thats what they call it on a ship) with 4 bunks deep in the hull of the ship and surprisingly quite close to the kitchen. Depositing our luggage there we came face to face with the strong coconutty fumes emanating form the kitchens. Never being used to such oils they left most a bit heady and nausseated. But the excitement of exploring our environs took over and hardly any1 felt anything. Withen no time it was time for lunch. And I witnessed an amazing array of tantalising, mouth watering dishes...which soonproved to be a prelude to the days to follow !

Gorging on Heaps and heaps of fried fish (esp. Tuna), classic curries and soothing desserts really left us feeling like the Tipu Sultan. Being heavily satiated, majority of the gang went for a nap. This turned out to be the biggest mistake they could ever make. Barely a few hours later the ones awake, me included (though i find it strange now), saw sights straight out of NatGeo or Discovery. Tens of Dolphins leaping out of the waters; not on TV but live, left us leaping with excitement. Most of the remaining day was then spent hoping for more dolphins to create the magical spectalce again. In this wait apart from the standard gossip a nice discussion came up...here many realised what our destination was really named: 'Lakshadweep' or 'Lakshwadeep' ? In hindsight it seems so obivious but believe me it was not so then. :)

Then that night was the one which has literally been burned into everyones memories...forever. A fire broke out onboard. Our guides and teachers collecting the dispersed crowd amidst billowing smoke and flurry of movement and nervous cries is still scary. Finally All assembled on the top deck and within two hours things were ok...Since the rooms were still out of bounds, that night was spent on the bare floor of the lounge...with the organisers comming up with mind diverting games and dances.

Next morning we awoke to find our ship moving at snail speed. One of the propellers had been damaged the previous night. If the speed incereased the entire ship would topple over about the faster propeller..With this slow speed we were informed that Lakshadweep would still take 5 whole days. However another cruiser( Bharat Seema) was on its way to take the people aboard the Tipu Sultan to their destination. Till the cruiser intercepted us (in 8 hours ) we were allowed to visit the Androth Island, the closest of the cluster to the main coast. It was really calm, peacful, friendly and ...

Afterwards we finally reached our destination-

The Agathi Island Beach Resort. This was extremely a splendid place in the lap of nature...truly idyllic. Once we crossed over the

periphery of the lagoon....the water was crystal clear and an amazing colour of blue. The entire expance of the lagoon was like one big natural swimming pool. We were greeted to cool 'narial-paani' after which we lugged our luggage into the cottages assigned to us...and to our utter dismay found that the doors were cut in half-horizontally. The open door policy did not stop here. As a tradition of the islands each person is extremely trusted and practically cant run away (hide) anywhere...hence the people here dint lock the cottage or house doors. We too graciously accepted this and left our belongings 'under the open sky'. The lunch and dinner that day and over our entire stay there was a real feast with the Tuna ruling.

Next morning we went snorkelling...and believe me no amount of praise can give you the actual thrill and enriching experience as actually doing it yourself ! The vibrant colours, the thriving sea-life, the extraordinary corals...oh the list is never ending! I also happened to celebrate my 14th birthday on the Lakshadweep. This is one BDay i will never forget ! Over the next 2 days we moved about the island which was hardly 3 Km long and 0.5 Km wide. Visiting the local school (children travel by the local school boats) seing the small airport (yes) very small meant only for the ATRs and seeing the sun rise and set on our left and right was indeed memorable. Though each one was hoping and wishing for another chance for snorkelling the sudden sea storm (which are quite common here and happen unanounced) dashed our chances.

After a real once in a life time experience we finally left Lakshadweep with a Laksha worth of memories. Our return journey to Mangalore by ship went of very smoothly. And then we returned to mumbai by train completing our 10 day trip.