RANJIT SAGAR DAM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank all the people who assisted in the completion of Ranjit Sagar Dam
Project. Their endorsements, help, and insights were paramount in the accomplishment of
this report.

I owe special thanks to:

1)​ KAUSTUV ANAND

2)​ GAURAV BENIWAL
3)​ SACHIN KUMAR SINGH
4)​ SUNITHA ANJALI
5)​ RUBU NOMO

Furthermore, I would like to thank and acknowledge the Punjab State Power Corporation
Ltd (PSPCL), Government of Rajasthan, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Central Water
Commission for their reports and other relevant information, as a great deal of this
research was built around these documents.

Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to my colleagues and mentors for offering their ideas
and comments which in my opinion have improved this document.

Thank you all for your suggestions and support.

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 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
I dove into this research with a mix of curiosity and determination, pulling together insights
from a range of solid sources to get the full picture. Here’s how I went about it and what I
uncovered.

Digging into Trustworthy Sources

I began by digging into the most reliable places I could think of—reports from the Punjab
State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL), the Central Water Commission, and the Ministry of Jal
Shakti. These gave me the backbone of the research: the official stats, the real numbers.
From there, I expanded my scope to include academic papers, engineering journals, and
technical reports. I wanted not just the “what,” but the “why” and “how” behind the data.

Using AI Tools as a Helper, Not a Crutch

I’ll admit, AI tools were a lifesaver for speeding things up. They helped me gather and
organize info from all corners of the internet, summarizing chunks of data so I could focus
on the good stuff. But I wasn’t about to trust them blindly. Every piece of AI-generated
content got a thorough reality check against official documents and verified sources. Think
of it like using a calculator—you still need to know the math to spot if the answer’s off.

Doing the Math by Hand

For the really important numbers—like energy output estimates, water storage capacities,
and reservoir strategies—I rolled up my sleeves and did the calculations myself. I leaned on
tried-and-true hydropower engineering formulas to make sure the theory matched up with
real-world possibilities. I also compared my results with operational data to see if they held
water (pun intended). It was a bit tedious, but it gave me confidence that the figures
weren’t just plucked out of thin air.

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Seeing the Bigger Picture

I didn’t want to just list numbers and specs. I wanted to understand how the Ranjit Sagar
Dam and the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project fit into the broader landscape of
infrastructure. So, I compared them with similar projects—what worked, what didn’t, and
what we could learn from them. It helped me put everything in context and think about the
real-world impact of these projects, beyond just their technical details.

Wrapping It Up

In the end, I tried to bring everything together—a mix of solid data, careful analysis, and
honest effort. This research wasn’t just about writing a report. It was about really
understanding the value of these projects: the energy they produce, the lives they touch,
and their role in the bigger picture.

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Introduction

Managing water resources is very important for development. It makes sure we’re using
water wisely—whether it’s for making electricity, watering crops, or just getting clean
drinking water. Two big projects that are very big in this department are the Ranjit Sagar
Dam and the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). The Ranjit Sagar Dam, built on the
Ravi River is a multipurpose setup that helps in power generation, irrigation, and even
controlling floods in northern India while the ERCP focuses more on solving water
problems in Rajasthan. It does this by linking rivers with the areas that usually suffer from
droughts.

This report takes a closer look at both these projects—their background stories, how they
function, and why they matter.

RANJIT SAGAR DAM

1) HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Ranjit Sagar Dam, also known as Thein Dam, is a multipurpose river valley
project on the Ravi River in Pathankot District, Punjab. The project was started to
utilise the water according to the Indus
Water Treaty (1960).

The dam was planned in 1912, but the

progress began in 1957 when it was
started for irrigation. By 1964, a project
report was submitted, and the
Government of India approved it in
April 1982. The dam was completed on
August 12, 2000, and started its
funtioning on March 4, 2001.​
​

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 This massive dam is upstream from the Madhopur Barrage. It is in the middle of
nowhere which is about 30 km from both Pathankot in Punjab and Kathua in Jammu
and Kashmir. Fun fact: around 60% of the reservoir it creates is in Jammu and
Kashmir’s territory. It’s one of India’s tallest earth-fill dams and has these huge
penstock pipes—some of the biggest in the country! You’ll find it in a place called
Shahpur Kandi Township.

But this project has stirred up some serious drama. Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir
have been at odds for years, arguing over who gets how much water and electricity,
job opportunities for locals, compensation for people affected, and land acquisition
issues. It’s been a real tug-of-war!

Sources: https://web.archive.org/web/20120430121051/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/gsiDoc/pub/cs_ranjit_sagar_dam.pdf Geological Survey of India

https://web.archive.org/web/20110721165130/http://www.cwc.nic.in/main/downloads/National%20Register%20of%20Large%20Dams%202009.pdf
National Register for Large Dams

2) PROJECT CONCEPTION

The Ranjit Sagar Dam was made to:

Utilize Ravi River waters efficiently post the Indus Water Treaty.

The Ranjit Sagar Dam was built to make the most of India’s share of the Ravi
River, as written in the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Under this treaty, India
got control over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. The dam helps
make sure that this water doesn’t just flow away into Pakistan unused. It’s a
key part of India’s bigger plan to secure its water needs for the long run. One
of the main goals behind building the Ranjit Sagar Dam was to give clean,
renewable hydroelectric energy. It has a total installed capacity of 600
megawatts. It’s actually the biggest hydro project in Punjab. This dam plays a

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 big role in strengthening the northern power grid and pushing forward
India’s move toward sustainable energy (Central Electricity Authority, 2021).

Supporting Irrigation Across States

Apart from generating electricity, the dam has completely changed how
irrigation works in parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
It provides a steady and reliable water supply—especially to districts like
Kathua and Samba—which really helps farmers during both Kharif and Rabi
seasons (Jammu & Kashmir Agriculture Department, 2019; Punjab Irrigation
Department, 2020).

Controlling Floods & Reclaiming Land in the UBDC Region

Flood control is another big plus. During heavy monsoons, the dam helps
manage excess river flow and protects nearby towns and villages in the
Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) area. This has also led to better land use and
development downstream.. The controlled water flow also helps reclaim and
stabilize lands previously affected by waterlogging and seasonal flooding
(Central Water Commission, 2018).

Support tourism and fisheries development.

The large reservoir created by the dam has opened opportunities for
fisheries development and eco-tourism. Several local communities near the
Shahpur Kandi Township have found employment in fishing and
tourism-related services. The reservoir’s scenic beauty has the potential to
grow into a tourist attraction, fostering economic development in nearby
areas (National Fisheries Development Board, 2020; Punjab Tourism, 2022).

References

●​ Central Electricity Authority. (2021). Annual Report on Hydro Power Development. https://cea.nic.in/​

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 ●​ Central Water Commission. (2018). Guidelines for Flood Management in India. http://cwc.gov.in/​

●​ Jammu & Kashmir Agriculture Department. (2019). Irrigation and Agricultural Development in Kathua and Samba.
http://jkagriculture.nic.in/​

●​ Ministry of Jal Shakti. (2020). Indus Water Treaty – Overview and Implementation. https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/​

●​ National Fisheries Development Board. (2020). Annual Report on Inland Fisheries. https://nfdb.gov.in/​

●​ Punjab Irrigation Department. (2020). Water Resource Planning for Southern Punjab. http://irrigation.punjab.gov.in/​

●​ Punjab Tourism. (2022). Tourism Development Near Ranjit Sagar Dam. https://punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in/

3) POWER GENERATION

●​ How the Ranjit Sagar Dam Generates Power

Turning rushing water into electricity isn’t as simple as just having a dam—it takes a
bunch of systems working together like a well-oiled machine. Here’s how the Ranjit
Sagar Dam pulls it off:

●​ A. Water Source & Reservoir

At the heart of it all is the massive Ranjit Sagar Reservoir, also known as the Thein
Reservoir. Think of it as a giant storage tank that holds about 2.34 billion cubic
meters of water. That’s a huge amount! This stored water is what gives the dam its
power, acting like potential energy just waiting to be turned into electricity. Even
during dry spells, there's usually enough water here to keep things running
smoothly (Punjab Irrigation Department).

The Water Head:

This is basically the height the water falls before hitting the turbines—around 87
meters at Ranjit Sagar. That’s pretty ideal for generating power in medium to
high-head hydro projects. The higher the fall, the more force the water has when it
hits the turbines, which means more energy gets produced (Hydroelectric Power
Report, 2020).

●​ B. Intake Structures and Penstocks

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 Think of these like the dam’s “valves.” They control how much water gets to flow out
of the reservoir and head toward the turbines. The key here is control—letting just
the right amount of water through so everything runs efficiently and smoothly. Too
much or too little can mess things up, so the intake system plays a pretty important
role in keeping the whole operation balanced.

Penstocks:

Once the water is let in, it travels through giant pipes called penstocks. These aren’t
your average water pipes—they’re built to handle serious pressure. The water picks
up speed and force as it moves through them, rushing down toward the turbines
like a powerful slide. That pressure and momentum? That’s what spins the turbines
and kickstarts electricity generation.

●​ C. Turbines

At the core of the Ranjit Sagar Dam’s energy magic are Francis turbines—a type that
works best when there’s a decent height for water to fall (which this dam has). These
turbines are champs at turning the energy from rushing water into spinning motion.

The dam runs on four turbine units, and each one can generate up to 150
megawatts of power. That’s a serious amount of electricity. Basically, as the water
flows down with force, it spins these turbines, and that spinning motion gets
converted into electricity. Simple, efficient, and powerful.

●​ D. Generators – Where the Magic Happens

So, once the turbines start spinning, they’re hooked up to big machines called
generators. These things take the spinning motion and turn it into
electricity—basically turning moving water into power you can use to charge your
phone or turn on your lights. The electricity made here is AC (alternating current),
which is the kind that runs through our homes. From there, it’s ready to be sent out.

●​ E. Control Systems & Switchyard – The Brains and Highways

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 The control systems are like the brains of the whole setup. They make sure
everything’s working right—keeping track of how fast things are moving, how much
power’s being made, and stepping in if something goes off.

Once the electricity is ready, it heads to the switchyard. Think of this as the main
highway ramp. Here, transformers boost the voltage so the power can travel really
far without losing strength. Then it gets sent out across Punjab and Jammu &
Kashmir, powering homes, shops, schools—you name it

4) MULTIPURPOSE OBJECTIVES

​ Beyond electricity generation, Ranjit Sagar Dam serves multiple purposes:

●​ Irrigation: Water supply in the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC), increases
productivity.
●​ Flood Control: Controls food supply in Jammu and kashmir.
●​ Drinking Water Supply: Provides drinking water to surrounding regions.
●​ Tourism & Recreation: Promotes tourism as there are very beautiful scenes
around.
●​ Fisheries Development: Good for fisheries as there are many fishes.

5) RESERVIOR OPERATION AND WATER RELEASE

​ The reservoir has:

●​ Gross storage capacity: 3,280 million

cubic meters
●​ Live storage capacity: 2,344 million
cubic meters

Water release is managed through:

●​ Two penstock headers & four

penstock branches (5.17m diameter
each).

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 ●​ Spillway capacity: 24,637 cubic meters per second.

​ IMG SOURCE: wikipidea

6) RESERVIOR OPTIMIZATION
●​ Reservoir optimization involves strategic management of water storage and release.
It Aims to balance power generation, irrigation, flood control, and ecological
sustainability. Ensures efficient reservoir performance throughout the year despite
seasonal/climatic changes.

Optimization Goals

a. Hydroelectric Power Generation

●​ Water is released to match peak electricity demand, especially in summer

and winter.
●​ Turbines are operated near their design head and discharge for maximum
efficiency.
●​ Generates approximately 900–1,000 MUs annually under ideal conditions
(CEA, 2020).
●​ Advanced forecasting tools predict inflows for better daily and seasonal
planning.
b. Irrigation Supply

●​ Supports irrigation for Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
●​ Releases are aligned with Kharif and Rabi crop calendars.
●​ Water is delivered via the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC).
●​ Enhances agricultural productivity and ensures food security.
c. Flood Management

●​ Absorbs high inflows from the Ravi River during monsoons.

●​ Reduces risk of downstream flooding and protects infrastructure.
●​ Gradual release mechanisms maintain river stability (NIH, 2019).
d. Ecological and Social Balance

●​ Maintains minimum environmental flow to sustain aquatic ecosystems.

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 ●​ Supports local fisheries and livelihoods.
●​ Water levels are managed to avoid ecological shocks during drawdowns and
refills.

B. Tools and Techniques for Optimization

a. Hydrological Modelling

●​ Simulation tools: HEC-HMS, MIKE 11.

●​ Used to analyse behavior under various rainfall and usage scenarios.
●​ Satellite-based rainfall and glacial melt data improve inflow predictions.
b. SCADA and Remote Monitoring

●​ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) provides real-time

data.
●​ Tracks reservoir levels, inflows, outflows, and power output.
●​ Enables quick and accurate decisions, especially during emergencies.
c. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

●​ Balances competing objectives like power, irrigation, and flood control.

●​ Developed by BBMB, PSPCL, and CWC using decision-making frameworks.

C. Regional and Inter-State Coordination

●​ Reservoir management involves cooperation between Punjab and Jammu &

Kashmir.
●​ Joint working groups monitor water rights and resolve usage conflicts.
●​ Ministry of Jal Shakti regularly reviews water-sharing and operations
(Northern Zonal Council Report).
●​ Proposed balancing barrages aim to improve water distribution in Kathua
and Samba regions.

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 7) OPERATIONS

1. Power Generation at Ranjit Sagar Dam

Ranjit Sagar Dam uses an integrated system of components to convert the potential
energy of water from the Ravi River into electricity efficiently.

a. Water Source & Reservoir

●​ The dam draws water from the Ravi River, forming a large reservoir.
●​ It offers a live storage capacity of approximately 3.2 billion cubic meters.
●​ Located at an elevation that provides a gross hydraulic head of around 123
meters, enabling high energy potential for power generation.
b. Intake Structures and Penstocks

●​ Water from the reservoir enters large intake structures.

●​ It is then channeled through steel-lined penstocks, which direct
high-pressure water to the turbines.
●​ These structures ensure controlled, efficient delivery to maximize turbine
performance.
c. Power Generation and Turbine Operation

●​ The turbines convert the kinetic energy of flowing water into mechanical
energy, which is further transformed into electricity using generators.
●​ The dam’s turbines are capable of handling a combined flow of up to 500
m³/s.
d. Transmission and Control Systems

●​ Generated electricity is sent through step-up transformers to increase

voltage for long-distance transmission.
●​ Power is then dispatched via a switchyard and central control room to
ensure safe and optimized electricity distribution.
●​ Electricity is supplied to the Sarna Substation (220 kV) and distributed
across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
e. Performance and Flexibility

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 ●​ The dam has recorded major achievements, generating 2,099.18 million
units (MUs) of electricity in 2019–2020.
●​ Operates as a peaking station, increasing output during periods of high
power demand.
●​ Adjusts power generation in real-time to align with consumption trends,
ensuring grid stability.

2. Reservoir Operation at Ranjit Sagar Dam

The reservoir is managed to balance multiple objectives—power generation, irrigation,

flood control, and ecological sustainability.

a. Inflow Management

●​ Receives water from the Ravi River and its seasonal tributaries.
●​ Volume is also supplemented by rainfall and upstream snowmelt.
●​ Telemetry systems and gauge stations provide continuous inflow data for
real-time decision-making.
b. Storage and Release Decisions

●​ Water levels are dynamically regulated based on:

○​ Real-time inflow data
○​ Electricity demand
○​ Irrigation schedules
○​ Weather predictions
●​ The goal is to maximize efficiency and minimize flood and drought risks.
c. Controlled Water Release

●​ Water is released through penstocks to power turbines, ensuring efficient

energy conversion.
●​ The reservoir’s design supports flexible discharge operations to meet
energy and irrigation needs simultaneously.
d. Flood Control Mechanisms

●​ Equipped with gated spillways to handle excessive inflows during heavy rain
or snowmelt.

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 ●​ Helps maintain dam integrity and protects downstream settlements from
flood damage.
e. Irrigation and Environmental Support

●​ After power generation, water is released to meet irrigation demands in

Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
●​ Supports both agriculture and local ecosystems through regulated
downstream flow.

3. Power Supply and Distribution

●​ Electricity generated is stepped up and transmitted to the Sarna Substation

(220 kV).
●​ From there, it is distributed across:
○​ Punjab
○​ Haryana
○​ Himachal Pradesh
○​ Jammu & Kashmir
●​ Grid management systems ensure a stable and reliable supply across
regions.
●​ Power flow is adjusted in real-time to meet varying regional demands. .

8) POWER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

Electricity is transmitted to:

●​ Sarna Substation (220 KV)

●​ Distributed across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and J&K.
●​ Grid adjustments ensure a steady power supply to match regional demand.

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 9) CHALLENGES IN OPERATION

1. Inter-State Disputes

●​ Issue: The dam lies at the border of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), leading to
continuous disagreements over water sharing, electricity distribution, employment
rights, and land compensation.
●​ Example: In 2017, J&K claimed ₹8,000 crore in losses from Punjab due to
unresolved power and irrigation benefits.
●​ Impact: These disputes delay collaborative projects like downstream barrages and
restrict optimal utilisation of dam resources.​
Source: Northern Zonal Council Meeting records, 2017

2. Unequal Distribution of Resources

●​ Electricity: While Punjab benefits from the entire 600 MW power generation
capacity, J&K claims it receives an unfair share despite 60% of the reservoir falling in
its territory.
●​ Irrigation: Projects like the Shahpurkandi Dam Barrage (for J&K irrigation) were
delayed for years due to unresolved claims.

3. Environmental and Ecological Concerns

●​ Displacement: Thousands of people were displaced during the reservoir's creation,

leading to rehabilitation issues that still persist in some areas.
●​ Ecological Disruption: Large earth-fill dams like Ranjit Sagar can significantly alter
local ecosystems and biodiversity patterns, especially aquatic life downstream.

4. Siltation and Reduced Storage

●​ Problem: Over time, sedimentation reduces live storage capacity of the reservoir.
●​ Impact: This affects both power generation (due to reduced water head and flow)
and irrigation efficiency.

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 ●​ Solution Needed: Regular desilting and sedimentation management strategies,
which require high costs and planning.

5. Maintenance of Large Infrastructure

●​ The dam houses the largest diameter penstock pipes in India, which are critical
to maintaining turbine performance.
●​ Challenge: Regular inspection, maintenance, and cleaning are labour-intensive and
expensive.

6. Seasonal Variations and Climate Change

●​ Inconsistency in Inflows: Monsoon-dependent inflows make long-term water

planning difficult.
●​ Climate Risk: Rising unpredictability in rainfall due to climate change can lead to
floods or droughts—both of which complicate reservoir operation.

7. Delayed Implementation of Support Projects

●​ The Shahpurkandi Barrage Project, crucial for sharing irrigation benefits with J&K,
remained stalled for almost two decades due to political and financial bottlenecks.
●​ This delay prevented J&K from utilising its rightful share of Ravi waters.

8. Operational Coordination & Forecasting

●​ Operating a multi-purpose reservoir (power, irrigation, flood control) requires:

○​ Real-time data on rainfall, inflows, demand.
○​ Close coordination among multiple agencies across states.
○​ Advanced hydrological models—which are still evolving in some parts of
India.

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 References

1. Central Electricity Authority, Government of India. (2022). Hydropower Statistics. https://cea.nic.in/​

2. Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (PSPCL). Ranjit Sagar Dam Project Overview.​
3. NHPC Ltd. Technical Reports and Project Data Sheets.​
4. Ministry of Jal Shakti. India-WRIS database. https://indiawris.gov.in/​
5. Kumar, A. (2018). Water Resources Engineering. Pearson Education.​
​

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