REBUILDING UTTARAKHAND

-INDRA PRAKASH, IP OWNERB.TECH(MECHANICAL),CHARTERED

ENGINEERLIFE MEMBER ,SESI

TECHNO-ENVIRONMENTALIST M-09993006686

EMAIL:IPAGRAHARI@GMAIL.COM

UTTARAKHAND DISASTER- MAN MADE

Heavy rainfall and Cloud Bursts have wreaked havoc on the region because of the fragile nature of the Himalayan range and poor soil stability in its steep slopes. But it is man-made factors that have compounded the scale of the disaster. Unabated expansion of hydro-power projects and construction of roads (by use of Dynamite ) to accommodate ever-increasing tourism, especially religious tourism, are also major causes for the unprecedented scale of devastation.

"The valleys of the Yamuna, the Ganga and the Alaknanda witness heavy traffic of tourists. For this, the government has to construct new roads and widen the existing ones," says Maharaj Pandit, professor with the Department of Environmental Sciences in Delhi University. He says that a study should be conducted to assess the carrying capacity of the Himalaya and development should be planned accordingly.

Threat from dams

The Ganga in the upper reaches has been an engineer’s playground. The Central Electricity Authority and the Uttarakhand power department have estimated the river’s hydroelectric potential at some 9,000 MW and have planned 70-odd projects on its tributaries. In building these projects the key tributaries would be modified—through diversion to tunnels or reservoirs—to such an extent that 80 per cent of the Bhagirathi and 65 per cent of the Alaknanda could be “affected”. As much as 90 per cent of the other smaller tributaries could be “affected” the same way.

Threat of DamThe Hydel Power Report of Uttarakhand published in the year

2008, categorically acclaims that the State has the potential to harness almost 20,000 MW of electricity through hydel power. Blinded with such ambitious target, the State Government failed to notice, either deliberately or otherwise, the very first objective on the same page, which has been reproduced as: “To harness the environment friendly Renewable Energy resources and enhance their contribution to the socioeconomic development of the State.” Another important objective which the State while implementing the said project, was oblivious to, is “To enhance the use of energy sources that assist in mitigating environmental pollution.” The current policies, as the CAG Report categorically points out, are aimed at aggravating and not mitigating environmental pollution, and have been a cause of the floods in and around the region.

Some of the main concerns highlighted in the CAG Report- Threat of Dam Due to the over ambitious policy of the State Government to create multiple

river channels, and multiple power projects on the same tributary, a serious endangerment of environment is certainty. With over 42 Projects currently functioning, and 203 projects in construction and clearance stage, at every 6 – 7 kms stretch, there will be a dam to obstruct the flow of the river.

All the projects are based on high seismic areas in and around districts chamoli, rudra prayag, pithoragarh, Almora and despite severe earth quakes in 1720, 1803, 1991, and 1999 the multiplicity of hydro power projects, without adequate counter seismic measures continue to run rogue thereby causing serious risk to the lives of the people.

There is a clear enumeration of Flash Floods which would result in severe destruction to life and property in and around the low lying areas of the hills. Table Appended to the Report has further highlighted various instances wherein such flash floods have occurred previously in the same areas.

No evidence to suggest that for failure to comply with the conditions of Environmental Impact Assessment, a penalty was imposed on the builders.

Roads destabilising mountains

"A new (mountain) range like the Himalaya will remain steady if not tampered with much. But the huge expansion of roads and transport is bringing the mountains in Uttarakhand down," says Pandit. Road, he says, is a major destabilising factor for a mountain and it is a new phenomenon for the Himalaya.

Data with the Uttarakhand State Transport Department confirms this. In 2005-06, 83,000-odd vehicles were registered in the state. The figure rose to nearly 180,000 in 2012-13. Out of this, proportion of cars, jeeps and taxis, which are the most preferred means of transport for tourists landing in the state, increased the most. In 2005-06, 4,000 such vehicles were registered, which jumped to 40,000 in 2012-13. It is an established fact that there is a straight co-relation between tourism increase and higher incidence of landslides.

Landslides more frequent now

Our mountains were never so fragile. But these heavy machines plying everyday on the kutcha roads have weakened it, and now we suffer landslides more often,” says Harish Rawat, a BSc student in Uttarakhand’s Bhatwari region that suffered a major landslide in 2010.

Another local resident, Ram Prasad Tomar, a driver by profession in Uttarkashi town, says it is road cutting that has made the mountains so weak. He says the way mountains are cut to make roads has rendered the mountains unstable. “Road contractors, who come from outside, do not understand the mountains. Most of the expressways that are being constructed now are tangled in legal cases. After cutting of mountains, landslides continue for up to four years, and contractors go bankrupt clearing the debris,” he says.

Environment engineer and Ganga crusader, G D Agarwal, says that construction along the Ganga has certainly cost a lot more if one includes the cost of damage to environment. People have completely destroyed the ecology of the mountains. “We see more landslides nowadays because of unplanned development in the hills,” he says. At the center of the hardest hit area was the temple town of Kedarnath, 11,000 feet above sea level.

News reports suggest that at least 10,000 to 12,000 people visit the hilly town every day during the peak pilgrimage season.

The devastation is the combined result of man’s folly and nature’s furyIndrajit Bose of the Centre for Science and Environment,

a New Delhi-based environmental think tank, told The Diplomat, “The devastation is the combined result of man’s folly and nature’s fury. Because of the way development has been going on in the state, this disaster was just waiting to happen. You cannot change the course of the two important rivers – Bhagirathi and Alaknanda – and expect nature to accept this tampering.”

The tragic floods of Uttarakhand are a warning to all hilly states in India to stop playing with nature in the name of economic development.

The solution lies with economic and other development with Sustainable measures only .

Ways of sustainable DevelopmentEnergy from Solar and Bio Gas /Bio massIncrease of off grid Energy systems in rural

areas .Ban construction of Major and Mini Hydro Dams Embrace Micro Hydro Dam.Ban Road construction by Dynamite . Promotion of Prefabricated , cheap, energy

efficient , earth quake resistant houses in place of masonry houses

Wood houses

Electricity Solution Up to January 2008, 1,149 villages were electrified in the

last three years, while the The goal is to provide electricity to remaining 1,25,000 un-

electrified villages (as per 2001 Census) by 2009 through the programme instrument of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana. In addition, it will also provide 23 million households with electricity.

Finances 90% capital subsidy is applicable for overall cost of the

projects under the scheme. The capital subsidy for eligible projects will be

through the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, which will be the

nodal agency. Electrification of un-electrified Below Poverty Line (BPL)

households is being financed with 100% capital subsidy @ Rs.1500/- per

connection in all rural habitations. Others will be paying for the connections at prescribed

connection charges and no subsidy will be made available.

Electrification by Solar Energy –Off grid SolutionUttarakhand has vast area in comparison t0

population density and urbanization . This gives a great deal for Electricity generation with

Solar Energy specially in rural area where approx 1, 25000 villages are still un -electrified .

The solution lies here with off grid or even on grid Solar Panel Power Projects .

I am associated with one NGO –DPG Sansthan – who is empanelled as “Rural Solar Energy Acess Program “recently embarked by MNRE , GOI . Under the program , these villages may get upto 90% subsidy

Electrification by Solar Bulb- My initiative : Through waste Plastic Bottle , Distilled

Water and one Chemical Costing only Rs 249/-

Home Made Solar Water Heater by me with Corrugated Sheets at cost only Rs

11000/-

PORTABLE and FLEXIBLE SOLAR COOKER A Portable Parabolic Cooker Built from an

Umbrella –Rs 2600/-

I would like to relate my experience and describe my solar cooker in order to thank all of those who have done so previously and have inspired me, and so that anyone else can learn from my experiences, which have shown that it works:  Half a litre of water began to boil in 20-30 minutes and this was on a windy day. 

Bio Gas and Producer Gas as Fuel and Electricity Source

Uttarakhand has immense potential for Bio Gas and Producer Gas .

Both Gases are eco friendly and also helpful in sanitation too .

Now a days very developed and efficient Digesters are available to produce more yield of Bio Gas .

Bio Gas may be used as domestic and commercial fuel .

Bio Gas can also be used to produce Electricity .This is also suitable for off grid solution .

Producer Gas besides being environment friendly is also very much viable for industrial application .

Micro Hydro Turbines Major and Mini Hydro Turbines have been

proved disastrous to the eco system of Himalayan as discussed earlier .

So again Micro Turbines are the solution for electricity specially for off grid .

Micro Turbines do not require any sizable excavation work and may be commissioned in very small streams and gradients .

Micro Turbine size varies from 2 KW to 1000 KW .

Housing Solution for Uttarakhand

Pre Fabricated /Wood Houses suitable for uttarakhandPrefabs Homes:-Prefabs are composite materials, manufactured by

combination of materials of different properties such as plastics, concrete and steel. These are specifically designed for longer practical period of applications or usage.Prefabs Homes are extremely durable, as well as water proof, termite proof and borer proof. Due to their longer life of utility and affordable cost, prefabs can be used for permanent, semi permanent or temporary applications. Ourprefabs are also used in different commercial applications also, such as in field of building construction, schools – health care centers site offices, shops, telephone booths, police – stations etc. 

Applications and Features of Pre Fab Houses:

 Application: Schools Residential Units Shopping Center Telephone Booths Toilets & Bathroom Police Station Features: 

Highly Durable Water proof Termite proof Most reasonable High Impact Strength Earthquake resistant Least vulnerable in natural calamities  

Benefits of Prefabricated Houses Low Cost:

Direct cost savings due to reduced labor, reduced material and cheaper construction equipment. Low weight of the product also reduces logistical costs.

Fast Implementation: 

The simple design, efficient production, easy transportation and quick erection of the building unit reduces time-lines of projects of all sizes by up to 60%.

The monolithic structure created by the panel in conjunction with concrete enables it to withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and high winds.

Uniform Quality:

As a standardized factory product, the Quick Build panel brings uniformly high quality to a construction project of any size.

Simple Construction:

The Quick Build system consolidates the masonry, insulation, plastering and utilities addition steps thus reducing the construction complexity.

Benefits of Prefabricated Houses The core material used in Quick Build is EPS which is an excellent thermal insulator. It

maintains the indoor temperature and lowers HVAC costs 50%-70%. Fireproof: 

The Quick Build panel has passed the 120 minute fireproofing test of NCI. It is approved as a fireproofing material for internal & external construction.

Moisture proof: 

The panel is excellent for preventing condensation/absorption on interior walls. The external walls can use waterproofing mortar for additional protection.

Soundproof:

The panels have superior sound dampening culpability compared to masonry walls and can be further enhanced if both sides are plaster-boarded.

Lightweight:

It is only 25% of the weight of a regular masonry wall, which alleviates the fixed load of a structure and facilitates its use in additions/upgrades to existing buildings.

Thermal Insulation:

FAQ on Pre Fabricated Housing What is the Quick Build Construction System? The Quick Build system uses prefabricated panels consisting of a super-insulated core of

expanded polystyrene sandwiched between two engineered sheets of steel welded mesh to create a shell for a building. A special mix of concrete is then applied using traditional methods or a shotcreting machine to create a monolithic structure.

What applications can Quick Build be used for? The Quick Build system and panels can be used for various building applications. It is an

excellent replacement for brick walls, masonry block walls, pre-cast concrete panels, and even load bearing slab. The Quick Build panels can also be used for floor systems and ceilings including roof structures.

What building standards does Quick Build system comply with? The Quick Build panel has been tested by IIT-Chennai (Indian Institute of Technology –

Chennai) for the relevant building standards and codes in use today. The Quick Build panel has passed all the requirements and the test results are listed below in the Appendix.

How does the Quick Build Construction System compare to conventional building systems?

The Quick Build system has various advantages over the conventional building systems currently in use. The savings in material, labor, capital and time are substantial while at the same time providing additional benefits like thermal insulation and waterproofing.

Thank You

Let’s promote green environment healthy environment If you believe me and are with me then

contact me:Indra Prakash,IP Owner,B.E(Mechanical) , MIE, Chartered Engineer, SMPV rule Competent PersonTechno- Environmentalist ,Cycle PhilospherMob - 09993006686Email - ipagrahari@gmail.com