Bhakra Nangal Dam

Described as 'New Temple of Resurgent India by Late

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first prime minister of India,
Bhakra Nangal Dam is situated across the river Sutlej that
falls under the region of Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh.
Bhakra Nangal Dam is one of the largest dam in India and
highest gravity dam in the world. Nestling between the
border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, amidst the lush
green forests, the dam gives a fantastic view of the region
and attracts huge number of tourists from all over the
India.
Bhakra Nangal Dam - Pride of India
Bhakra Nangal Dam is a combination of Bhakra dam and
Nangal dam. Bhakra dam is 13 km upstream from Nangal
city and Nangal just vice versa. The construction of the
dam was started in the year 1948 and was completed by
the end of year 1963. Initially, the construction of the dam
was started by Sir Louis Dane, the Lieutenant Governor of
Punjab. But due to some specific reason the project got
delayed and restarted by Late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal
Nehru on 17th November, 1955. The dam, which is
situated at a height of 226 m above sea-level stuns the
visitor of its height. The 90 km long Bhakra Nangal Dam is
spread over an area of 168 sq km that also acts as an
important picnic spot for the tourists. The dam was
constructed with an aim to provide enough irrigation
facility to the region of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Another big reason behind the construction of the dam
was to save the place from the monsoon flood. Besides,
the Bhakra Nangal dam houses hydroelectric power

generator, which is situated on both the sides of the dam.

Nangal hydel Channel and Anandpur Sahib Channel are
used for power generation and irrigation purpose.

Bhakra Nangal Dam - As an Attraction

Being the biggest dam of India, large number of tourists get attracted
towards its vast water reservoir and attractive location. It is a life time
experience for any visitor to travel to this grand reservoir where water
flows with a great speed at such a height. The site definitely generates
awe in tourist visiting the dam. To facilitate tourism in this part of
Himachal Pradesh, the travel & tourism department of the state has
generated a wonderful picnic spot around the region with the provision of
rest houses located near the Bhakra Nangal dam. Apart from the human
generated dam, there is a natural fall, which is also a source of hydroelectricity generated by the Ganguwal and Kotla power plant.
The Bhakra Dam
Official name
Impounds

Bhakra Dam
Sutlej River

Creates

Gobindsagar Reservoir

Locale

Punjab-Himachal Pradesh
India

Length

1,700 ft (520 m)

Height

741 ft (226 m)

Width (at base)

625 ft (191 m)

Construction began

1948

Opening date

1963
Geographical Data

Coordinates

312439N
762600ECoordinates:
312439N 762600E

Bhakra Left & Right Bank Power Houses

Bhakra Project is a marvel in
engineering. The 225.55 m high Dam
is of concrete straight gravity type
having a gross storage capacity of
9340 million cum. This project
generates a total of 1325 MW power
from its Right and Left bank power
houses.

Bhakra Dam
Type Of Dam

Concrete Straight Gravity

Height above the deepest

foundation

225.55 m (740 ft.)

Height above the river bed

167.64 m (550 ft.)

Catchment Area

56,980 sq. Kms (22,000 sq.

miles)

Area of reservoir

168.35 sq. Kms (65 sq.

miles)

Gross storage capacity at El.

1680 ft

9340 million cum (7.57

million acre ft.)

Live storage capacity at El.

1680 ft.

6911 million cum (5.60

million acre ft.)

Spillway
Type of spillway

Overflow gated

Spillway Crest Level

501.46 m

No. of Spillway gates

Maximum outflow through

spillway Overflow gated

5587 cumecs (197300

Cusecs)

Left Bank Power Plant

Installed capacity

5 X 108 MW

Type of turbine

Vertical shaft, Francis Type

Speed

166.7 r.p.m.

Right Bank Power Plant

Installed capacity

5 X 157 MW

Type of turbine

Vertical shaft, Francis Type

Speed

187.5 r.p.m.

Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity-arch dam across the Sutluj River, near the
border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in northern India. The dam was
part of the larger multipurpose Bhakra Nangal Project whose aims were to
prevent floods in the Sutlej-Beas river valley, to provide irrigation to adjoining
states and to provide hydro-electricity.
Construction began in 1948 and was completed in 1963. The dam, at 741 ft (226
m), is one of the highest gravity dams in the world (compare Hoover Dam at 732
ft). The 166 km Gobindsagar Reservoir, named after Guru Gobind Singh, is
created by this dam. The dam provides irrigation to 10 million acres (40,000 km)
of fields in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Two power
houses with a total capacity of 1000 MW flank the dam, on either side of the river.
A smaller subsidiary dam, called the Nangal Dam is located a little downriver
from the Bhakra Dam.
Statistics

Type of Dam: Concrete Straight Gravity

Height: 740 ft (225.55 m)
Height (above river bed): 550 ft i.e. so high
Length at top: 1700 ft
Width at top: 30 ft
Length at bottom: 325 ft
Width at base: 625 ft
Elevation at top of dam: 1700 ft (above sea level)
Steel used: 100000 tons

. Bhakra

Beas Management Board

Bhakra Beas
Nations Pride

A. Purpose of This Document:

a. The sole idea of putting the information on the Project Activity in
Public Domain is to create awareness and to seek your
comments in order to understand any concerns you have or any
clarifications you would like to seek with regards to the foresaid
project activity
b. Your comments shall be kept confidential and if you do not want
to provide your name and address, you are free to do so.
B. Title of Proposed Project Activity:
Capacity enhancement of existing Bhakra Beas Management Board
(BBMB) Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs), Punjab, India through
Renovation, Modernization and Upration (RM&U) leading to reduction
of GHG (Green House Gases) emissions at the grid level.
C. Background of the Organisation:
The BBMB HEPs were constructed between 1955 and 1983, comprise
of the Bhakra Dam on the river Sutlej with Power Stations on the Left
and Right banks (1325 MW), an irrigation channel with two Canal
based Power Stations at Ganguwal & Kotla (155 MW), the Pong Dam
on river Beas with a Power Station (396 MW), a diversion dam at
Pandoh on river Beas (Up steam of Pong Dam) to divert its water to
the river Sutlej through a 38 KM long water conductor system in the
form of tunnels, an open channel, a balancing reservoir and the Dehar
Power Station (990 MW) at the tail.
The annual energy generation of 10,000 to 14,000 GWh from BBMB
(Bhakra Beas Management Board) Power Stations is shared by four
states in Northern India.

The multipurpose hydel schemes of BBMB have catered to the

irrigation and drinking water needs of the states besides controlling
floods & generating power. These have brought prosperity in the
beneficiary states.
The functions of BBMB are as under:
a. Administration, Operation & Maintenance of the hydro-electric
projects (HEPs).
b. To regulate the supply of water from the HEPs to the States of
Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
c. To regulate the supply of power generated from the HEPs .
d. Providing & performing engineering and related technical
consultancy services in fields of HEPs & irrigation projects.

D. Brief on the Proposed Project Activity:

The proposed Project Activity comprises of a capacity augmentation
of about 94.43 MW through Renovation, Modernization and Upration
(RM&U) activities at the following BBMB HEPs: Bhakra-Left Bank
(Reservoir) 90 MW, Ganguwal and Kotla ( Canal run of the river
power stations)- 4.43 MW through following technological measures :
o

Replacement of existing power generation equipments

(turbine runner, generator, generator transformer and allied
systems) with energy efficient ones.

Providing State-of-the-art Control, Instrumentation and

Protection System for better monitoring and efficient operations.

The Northern Region (NR) Grid, the key recipient of the power
generated from the BBMB HEPs, is currently operating at a deficit with
respect to the power requirements both peak and off-peak. This builds
up a pressure on the grid to generate additional power through fossil
based power stations, which are non renewable, expensive and also
degrade the environment. In the NR grid more than 70% of the power
supplied is generated using fossil fuels (Coal, Diesel, Gas etc).

RM&U activity has resulted in capacity enhancements of 2.10 MW

(since 20th October 2006) at Ganguwal Power station and 2.33 MW at
Kotla Power station (since 13th April 2007) respectively. In addition to
the above, RM&U activity at Bhakra Left Bank Power station would
augment capacity by 90 MW from April 2009.
The augmented capacities and improved generation efficiency of the
aforesaid power stations is leading to:
o
Increased power generation and is supplementing the
much needed peaking power in the Northern Region Grid.
o

Avoidance of GHG (mainly Carbon dioxide) emissions from

non- renewable sources of Power generation.

The Project Activity is envisaging financial support from the Carbon

revenues it will receive from trading of the carbon credits under the
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Kyoto Protocol of UNFCCC
(United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change) for
reduction of Green House Gases (GHGs), to which India is a signatory.
Following a Global tender for the sale of emission reductions that was
floated in May 2006, BBMB has signed a Letter of Intent with The
World Bank for the sale of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) in
January 2007.
Further, the Project Activity is a showcase project, for the hydro &
fossil based power stations all over the country, desiring to undertake
RM&U activities leading to reduction of GHG emissions.
E. Benefits of the Proposed Project Activity:
1. Socio-Economic well being:
The Project Activity
people.

does not involve displacement of the local

The additional power capacities added to the grid means enhanced

availability of power in the Northern region, which remains power
deficit at all times. The enhanced availability of quality power also
means increase in the economic prosperity and development in the
northern region of the country, in terms of:
a. additional employment generated in various sectors thereof

b.

and
reduction in the expenses on creation of medical facilities
needed to cure the diseases from emissions from fossil fuel
based power stations.

Thus, the additional power available in the Northern Grid is fostering

sustainable development in the industrial, agriculture and the
commercial sectors (which are facing huge shortage of power
currently) through increased productivity and profitability.
2. Environmental:
Generally, the power generation efficiency improvements in hydroelectric power stations are not possible without changes in:
Reservoir capacity.
Water Passage.
Civil Structure.
Technological Upration of existing power generation equipment.
However, for the current Project Activity, no changes in reservoir
capacity, water passage or civil structure are required. The Project
Activity constitutes an electricity capacity addition to the grid from
run-of-river hydro power stations (Ganguwal & Kotla without any
change in the existing canal system) and a hydro power project
(Bhakra) with an existing reservoir where the volume of the reservoir
is not increased (the same volume of water is utilized to achieve
augmented power generation with increased efficiency of the power
generation machines).
The project does not involve deforestation or degradation of the
existing flora-fauna. In addition, BBMB, the project proponent is
undertaking a good aforestation program at its project sites. There is
no increase in the reservoir area or diversion of the canal waters to
augment capacities of the existing BBMB power stations (project
activity).
The current Project Activity is leading to reduction of Carbon dioxide
(a Green House Gas) emissions to the atmosphere. Moreover, the
emissions to land, air and water from fossil fuel based power stations
(at the Grid Level) are being avoided.
In short, there are no adverse effects on the environment and
the Project Activity will bring an all round sustainable
development in the region.

For more information, you can write to or contact

Ashok Thapar
Director/Consultancy,
Bhakra Beas Management Board,
# 6 B, Sector 19-B, Madhya Marg,
Chandigarh- 160 019.
Tele/Fax: 0172 5011773
Email: cons@bbmb.nic.in

Environment Protection
BBMBs Endeavor

Generate Power from Water - The Infinitely renewable source of

energy
Supply Clean Water for Irrigation & Drinking

Maintenance of Ecological Balance

Bhakra Dam
The Nations Pride

Dams Help Manage Water

Environment Management
Environment Management In BBMB Projects
BBMBs pursuit under Environment Management

Dams Help Manage Water

Water is a critical natural resource. Without it, life could not exist and people could not
survive. For more than 5,000 years, dams have provided people with a reliable source of the
water they need to live. Dams have enabled people to collect and store water when it is
plentiful and then use it during dry periods. Dams have been essential in establishing and
supporting human establishment and farms, as well as providing food through irrigation of
cropland. Today, dams and reservoirs also help control flood waters to protect people and
property, keep rivers navigable, provide electricity from renewable energy for towns/villages
and factories, and provide recreational opportunities such as fishing, water sports, etc.

Hydro Power The Green Power

Today more than 45,000 large dams improve the living conditions of the worlds population
that continues to grow at a rate of more than 100 million people per year. Yet, about 1.5
billion people still do not have access to a reliable source of suitable drinking water and
more than two dozen countries do not have enough water to properly sustain their
populations. Today more than one billion people are malnourished or starving. In many
countries, increased food production is only possible through improved irrigation, which
frequently depends on diminishing groundwater resources. Therefore, more dams are
needed now and into the foreseeable future to improve the management of existing surface
water resources.
The availability of energy is essential for the socio-economic development of a nature. Today
energy is largely supplied by fossil fuels, but these fuels are being depleted and they
contribute to air pollution and possibly to climate change. It is clear that we should look for
ways to generate electricity without releasing harmful substances in the air. In many
countries, hydropower is the only natural energy sources. Hydropower accounts for about 20
percent of electricity production, and about 7 percent of total energy production in the
world. Hydropower is clean and the production from existing projects can be increased
without a harmful impact on the environment. At present, hydropower is the largest
renewable source of energy. In other words, hydropower from dams is one of the key
sources for providing energy for expanding development.
Dams provide domestic and individual water supply, energy, water for irrigation and
industrial use, flood control and recreational opportunities, but there is a cost. Our quest to

provide the growing world population with a better life means we will change the natural
environment. Natural resources will be used and the environment will be transformed to
meet human needs. People and other forms of life are inevitably affected when dams and
reservoirs are built. Engineers must avoid or mitigate any environmental damage caused by
water projects.

Historically, the priority was given to meeting peoples immediate needs for water and
energy. Today, we recognize the importance of the natural environment and the need for
long-term protection against pollution. The BBMB comprised of professional engineers
believe that we must preserve the environment for long-term benefits while also providing
dams and reservoirs to meet immediate human needs.

Environment Management
Water Resources of India are contributing to the prosperity of the country a lot in general
and Northern India in particular through River Valley Developmental Projects like BhakraBeas Project.
Concern for environmental pollution is rather a recent phenomenon emerged from the illeffects of industrial growth through the planning process which somehow overlooked the
role of natural resources in developmental activities.
Over the years, the information accumulated in course of working of River Valley Projects,
revealed that the River Valley Projects like all other developmental projects, have been
beneficial but have some adverse impacts. These impacts must be carefully assessed and
balanced for achieving sustained benefits.
All River Valley Projects Irrigation Power and Multipurpose, began to be referred to the Govt.
of India for environmental clearance in 1978. The objective of environmental impact
assessment is to ensure that development proceeds hand-in-had with ecological
preservation so as to achieve sustained growth.

The objective of considering environmental aspects as integral part of development projects

is to achieve:

Sustained development with minimum environmental degradation.

Prevention of long-term environmental side effects by incorporating mitigative
measures.

Environment Management In BBMB Projects

All the three-river valley projects managed by BBMB i.e. Bhakra-Nangal, BSL Project and
Beas Dam Project were planned and executed before 1978 when environmental clearance
from Govt. of India was made mandatory.
The EIA studies of BBMB Projects show that the beneficial impacts of BBMB Projects are
much more compared to the negative impacts. Bhakra and Beas Projects being the multipurpose projects have brought Green Revolution in the country. Bhakra And Beas
Reservoirs have saved the regional ecology from the devastating floods. These Reservoirs
have provided a source of tourism and fish production enhancement. In addition, BBMB
Projects brought socio-economic upliftment of the Region by way of enhanced employment
opportunities on BBMB Projects, better energy and irrigation facilities, enhanced
industrialization, ecological improvement in the downstream areas of the dams due to nondevastation of floods etc.

Green & Industrial Revolution

BBMB also started studying and evaluating the post-construction status of environmental
components and assessing the impacts, if any, for short-term and long-term mitigative
measures.
BBMB is also evaluating and improving the environmental status for all the project colonies
under its management in respect of potable water, waste water, solid waste management
and hospital wastes etc.

BBMB is improving ecological environment by Plantation Programme undertaken every

year on BBMB spare land, maintaining gardens, terraces, fringe areas of the reservoirs,
project colonies etc. by developing its own horticulture-wings at project stations.

Ecological Improvement
Under Environmental Upgradation Programme, BBMB assigned a project to NEERI, Nagpur
in 1999 to undertake Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies and to prepare
the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for silt disposal from BSL Project. HP State
Pollution Control Board, HP I&PH Department, HP Civil Authorities (Mandi District) and the
public at large were associated in the study to have the practical, fair and techno-economic
solution of the problem. The Final Report of the Institute was received in December, 2000.
The report of the Committee was discussed in the 176th meeting of BBMB held on
12.11.2001 in which it was approved to implement the short term mitigation measures as
recommended by NEERI at a cost of Rs. 182.80 lacs. It was also decided in the said meeting
that studies would be carried out for identifying the least cost item option with respect to
Long Term Measures.

BBMBs pursuit under Environment Management

To undertake the studies for implementation of NEERI Report for safe disposal of silt
from BSL Project.
To give guidelines to Chief Engineers to conduct regular meetings with stake-holders
of Environmental Projects and the public for redressal of their problems/grievances
and to maintain harmony with them.
Setting up of fully equipped central laboratories at all project stations for conducting
silt analysis, chemical and bacteriological tests for checking the performance of
potable water, treatment plants, sewage treatment plants etc.
Identification of green belts & development of parks, nurseries, gardens in the spare
land of BBMB.

To check encroachments along the roads to stop choking of drains, supply lines, sewer
lines etc.
To prepare proper solid waste management plans for its safe and scientific disposal
around the project areas.
To prepare Catchment Area Treatment and Fringe Area Treatment plans and
to implement the plans while coordinating with H.P. Govt. Authorities.
To remain in touch with H.P. and Central Pollution Control Boards for latest guidelines,
innovations, instructions in the environment field.
To start an Awareness Programme among BBMB employees to plant more and
more trees/plants around their residences/colonies.
To attend seminars, publish papers relating to the steps undertaken and results gained
and to conduct pilot studies, if found necessary.
Environmental Upgradation of Power Plants and Project Colonies by having
ISO:14000 Certification, for which action has been initiated.

History Of Multi-Purpose River Valley Project

Development In Indus Basin
The North-western region of the Indian sub-continent is the land of
the Indus. Indeed from this river, India gets her name. The
principal tributaries of the River Indus from west are the Rivers
Kabul and the Kurrem; the five main tributaries from east are the
Rivers the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj.
The principal rivers of Indus system are all perennial. Its tributaries
are more dependent on the monsoon rains. Most of the Indus Basin
lies in India and Pakistan, and only about 13 percent of its total
catchment is in Tibet and Afghanistan. Within India, the Indus
Basin lies in the States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Indus Water Treaty - 1960
With partition and emergence of the two independent political
entities India and Pakistan, the sharing of Indus waters resulted in
a dispute and became an International Issue. About 8 years of
discussion and negotiations between Governments of India and
Pakistan, carried out under the auspices of the World Bank,
resulted in Indus Waters Treaty. Under this treaty, the waters of
the three eastern rivers (the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj)
would be for the exclusive use of India and waters of the three

western rivers (the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab) for the
exclusive use of Pakistan.
Development Projects after Independence
BhakraNangal Dam project taken up in 1948 was so planned that
early benefits of increased irrigation and power started accruing
much ahead of the completion of the main dam at Bhakra in 1963.
The irrigation channels were opened to the fields as early as 1954
and the first unit of Ganguwal Power Plant on the Bhakra Nangal
grid started generation in 1955
The Master Plan was drawn to harness the waters of 3 rivers
which came to Indias share after Indus Water Treaty. The Bhakra
Dam, constructed across River Satluj, controlled the water of river
Satluj for irrigation and power generation. The Beas was the next
to be tackled through the Beas project, with Ravi through Thein
Dam following soon after.
Beas Project
Unit-I, the BeasSatluj Link, is essentially a power project and
diverts 4711 million cum (3.82 MAF) of Beas waters at Pandoh, into
the Satluj over 1000-feet drop. The Dehar Power House at this
point has an installed capacity of 990 MW, the tail race waters then
flows down the satluj and is stored in Bhakra's Gobindsagar
Reservoir. The diversion from Pandoh to Dehar is through a 38 km
long water conductor system comprising an open channel and two
tunnels with a combined length of over 25 km. The total
catchement area of Beas and Satluj is 12560 km2 and 56860 km2
respectively.
Unit-II of the Beas Project is the Pong Dam on the Beas, just before
it enters the plains at Talwara, with a gross storage of 8572 million
cum (6.95 MAF) behind a 435 feet earth-core gravel shell dam. The
power plant at the base of the dam had an installed capacity of 360
MW.

Functions :

The functions of the Board are to regulate the supply of Satlej.

Ravi. Beas water to the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan,
Delhi & Chandigarh (Union Territory) & to distribute power from
Bhakra Nangal & Beas Projects to the States of Punjab, Haryana,
Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh & Chandigarh (UT). Besides this, a
cost effective steps for additional power generation are being
carried out through Renovation, Modernization & Uprating of old
Hydel Machines.
Bhakra Beas Management Board also provides and performs
Engineering & related technical and consultancy services in
various fields of Hydro Electric Power & Irrigation Projects and to
carry on all kind of business related thereto either independently
or as a joint venture with any Central/State/Public
Undertaking(s) or Establishment(s) under the administrative
control of Ministry of Power or as a joint venture with any other
Agency/Organization with the approval of Government of India.

The Born Leader

BBMB has an installed capacity of 2866.30 MW - the largest base of
Hydro Power in India with a high plant load factor.
BBMB also transmits Power in the Northern Grid through a wide
network of 3735 KM of 400 KV, 220 KV, 132 KV and 66 KV
transmission lines.
BBMB maintains the largest reservoirs in the country such as Bhakra
and Pong Dams and also operates long Hydro tunnels and Hydel
channels.

o
o

Bhakra, Nangal and Beas Dams have controlled the floods and have
also brought prosperity to the partner states of Northern India.

An Overview
Generation Capacity
: 2866.30 MW
Number of Power Houses : 6
Number of Generating
: 28
Units
Number of Beneficiary
:7
States
o
Largest base of Hydro Power in India....

Project

Generation Capacity (MW)

Bhakra Left Bank Power House 540
Bhakra Right Bank Power House 785
Ganguwal Power House
77.65
Kotla Power House
77.65
Dehar Power House
990
Pong Power House
396
o
o

BBMB has been promoting the cause of Renovation, Modernisation and Uprating of old Hydro Power Houses in the country. This task has already been
undertaken for all the BBMB Power Houses.
o
Strong Network Of Hydro Tunnels and Channels ...

Name
Length(KM) Diameter(M) Capacity(Cumec)
Pandoh-Baggi Tunnel
13.1
7.62
254.85
Sundernagar Satluj Tunnel
12.35
8.53
403.52
Sundernagar Hydel Channel
11.8
254.85
Nangal Hydel Channel
64.5
354
Widest Network Of Transmission Lines From 400 KV To 66 KV...
S.No. Voltage Level Number of Sub Stations Line Length(CKT. KMS)
1.
400 KV
3
574
2.
220 KV
17
2998
3.
132 KV
2
18
4.
66 KV
2
145
Total
24
3735

Achievements Of BBMB
Record Availability of Machines:
Being the largest hydroelectric complex in the region, BBMB plays a vital
role in the day to day operation of the northern grid.
The BBMB powerhouses provide much needed peaking power to the grid
thus enabling the thermal stations to work on base load.
The powerhouses help in frequency regulation of the grid by flexing
generation between 1900 MW and 2800 MW in summers and between 500
MW and 1900 MW during winters.
The average annual plant availability of BBMB powerhouses is around 88%.
The transmission line availability is around 99%.
Supply Of Water:
All the five units of Bhakra Right Bank powerhouse have been renovated,
modernized and uprated from 120 MW to 157 MW each, resulting in an

additional installed capacity of 185 MW and additional annual generation of 310

MU.
Two units each at Ganguwal and Kotla powerhouses have also been renovated
and modernized.
All the Six units of Pong Power Plant have been uprated from 60 MW TO 66
MW each. This has resulted into additional peaking capacity of 36MW and
additional energy generation of 17.3 MU besides additional reactive power of 90
MVAR.

Bhakra Beas Management Board prides itself with a strong, dedicated and diversified
manpower. Out of total strength of about 15,000 employees, about 5500 are highly skilled
in their professions. The highly skilled workforce comprises nearly 480 graduate and
post-graduate engineers from various disciplines manning the operation & maintenance
of 6 hydro powerhouses, reservoirs and water conductor systems and a vast network of
transmission system efficiently and economically. To oversee the financial management
of BBMB, the Finance Department is headed by a financial adviser and assisted by 30
middle level finance managers. To ensure that the workforce enjoys good health, BBMB
is maintaining its own full-fledged hospitals at project sites and primary health centres at
other locations, deploying specialist medical practitioners. To provide quality education
to the wards of the employees at project sites, BBMB runs 4 Senior Secondary Schools
having highly qualified and experienced teachers.
It is not without reason that BBMB is generating power at the lowest cost and supplying
perennial irrigation water to the Northern States, which have brought Green Revolution
in the country.

A Brief Statement regarding the concerned service/Business Transacted

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has been constituted under Section
79(1) read with 80(6) of the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966 for the
administration, maintenance and operation of works of Bhakra Nangal and Beas
Projects. The functions ofthe Board are to regulate the supply of Sutlej. Ravi.
Beas water to the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi &
Chandigarh(Union Territory) & to distribute power from Bhakra Nangal & Beas
Projects to the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh &
Chandigarh (UT). Besides this, a cost effective steps for additional power
generation are being carried out through Renovation, Modernization & Uprating
of old Hydel Machines
Bhakra Beas Management Board also provides and performs Engineering &
related technical and consultancy services in various fields of Hydro Electric
Power & Irrigation Projects and to carry on all kind of business related thereto
either independently or as a joint venture with any Central/State/Public
Undertaking(s) or Establishment(s) under the administrative control of Ministry

of Power or as a joint venture with any other Agency/Organization with the

approval of Government of India