Bengaluru :
The world famous Jog, the second highest plunge waterfall in the country, will soon enthrall visitors round the year.
All the four cascades of the 252 metre-high falls — the majestic Raja, the graceful Rani, the swift Rocket and boisterous Roarer — will be in full splendor through the year as the Jog Management Authority (JMA) plans to re-circulate its water during non-rainy seasons.
Two companies have come forward to take up the project following a global tender and work is expected to start before this rainy season. Once installed, it will be world’s tallest feature of its kind, JMA officials claim.
“The full view of Jog is available to tourists only for four months (July to October) during rainy season. With Jog lacking other features required for a popular tourist destination, the number of foreign and local tourists is considerably less in the year. This is why we approached experts for a solution,” a senior JMA official told TOI.
HR Viswanath, consultant for JMA and the brain behind the project, said the magic of artificial waterfall will be realized through re-circulation method. “Using a reversible pump, the water will be pumped up through a 1,200 mm diameter pipe from the storage pond constructed at the bottom of the falls. A 3-mtr high anicut (dam) constructed upstream the Sitakatte Bridge will receive the pumped water. Then 200 cusecs of water will be let out the four sluice gates of the anicut in off seasons,” he explained.
Asked about the electricity requirement and cost of pumping water upstream, Vishwanath said the water cascading down will generate electricity with the help of a mini power station installed at the bottom of the falls. The pump will get power from the station, and the system won’t need extra power supply unless it is emergency.
Viswanath, who is former principal of BMS College of Engineering, said the technology is of double advantage as the project will be able to generate excess electricity during rainy season from the same pump by letting the waste water down. There will be no pumping up of water from the bottom during rainy season.
“The electricity produced will be surplus after meeting the required quantity for pumping purposes which can be used by the Sharavathi power grid. The project manager can also make profits by selling the excess power,” he added.
Another JMA official said two companies — National Buildings Construction Corporation, New Delhi; and an Abu Dhabi-based company owned by BR Shetty, an NRI businessman and Padma awardee — have come forward to take up the project under the build-operate-transfer model. “Once the detailed project report is ready, we will finalize the company for project implementation. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 350 crore and we are expecting the ground work to begin before July this year,” he added.
How it works
A sump to hold 23,000 cubic ft water will be built at the bottom of 252 mtr (820 ft) fall.
Using a reversible pump, water will be lifted via 1200 mm diameter pipe to a 3 metre tall anicut (dam) constructed upstream. A power pump of 20 kilowatt per hour is necessary for the purpose.
200 cusecs water let out from the four sluice gates of the anicut to create the normal beautiful jog falls.
The water cascading down will also generate electricity with the help of a mini power station installed at the bottom of the falls. The power is sufficient to pump back the water and mechanism will keep the system round the clock. Water lost in evaporation is negligible say experts.
During rainy season, power generated is an advantage as there will be no need to pump the water upstream.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru / by Rohith B R, TNN / January 26th, 2015