KSEB to buy 8 boats for dam inspections

IDUKKI: Kerala state electricity board has decided to buy eight boats to facilitate the inspection of the dams where hydroelectric projects are located. As part of a World Bank project Drip (dam rehabilitation and improvement project), the board will buy six speedboats, one passenger boat, and one pontoon boat. The boats will be stationed at Idukki, Chenkulam, Sholayar, Kuttiyadi, Anayirankal and Edamalayar dams.
Most of the reservoirs of the hydel projects are located in forest areas and the KSEB has no boat facility to reach there and conduct proper inspections.
The KSEB has a total of 33 dams and 17 reservoirs. Some of the reservoirs, like the Idukki arch dam, Cheruthony dam, and Kulamavu dam are connected. Lack of boat facility affects the technical inspection of the hydroelectric projects. For checking the dam tunnels and intake shutters, the boats are necessary.
"Speedboats will be used for inspection and repairing works of dams which are part of Drip project. The passenger boat will be used in Idukki dam and pontoon boat at Anayirankal dam," said KSEB civil division chief engineer (dam safety and drip) E Anilkumar.