R Udayagiri: It may seem to be incredible to many, but a hydro-electricity project in a pond here is lighting up the Tibetan tourist centre at Jirang in Gajapati district, a report said.
Usually hydro-electricity projects are established in large reservoirs and crores of rupees are spent for the purpose.
However, one has hardly heard of a hydro-electricity project functioning in a pond. The claim may seem surprising but, in fact, a hydro-electricity project operates in a pond at Jiranga. The project was first launched July 26 and has been functioning since then without any glitch.
The credit for the project goes to the Gajapati district administration which took up the initiative to make best use of the natural stream water. However, initially the endeavour faced stiff challenges.
Reports said that the pond known as Padmasambhaba Manasarovar lies near the Boudha Vihar at Jiranga in the district. The water from a natural stream flows into this pond which remains filled throughout the year.
The hydro-electricity project came up in the area after the district administration decided to make best use of the stream water and attract tourists to the site. To achieve the goal, a small turbine was set up on the downstream of the stream to produce electricity from the water flowing from top of the hill.
Later, a small turbine of one kilowatt was set up 14-ft under the pond and was connected with a pipe to collect the water and produce the electricity.
Over 55 litres of water flow into the pipe per second which is enough to produce 1 kilowatt electricity to light up the area and the Buddhist site.
Officials said that funds worth Rs 3.50 lakh has been spend to construct the hydro-electricity project. The district administration has fixed LED lights on utility poles to light up the area around the pond.
People visiting Jiranga to get soaked in its natural beauty and landscape also visit the pond to get a glimpse of the hydro-electricity project. This has become a tourist attraction as people prefer to spend more time around the pond at night than in daytime.
A pilot project was launched by the district administration when Anupam Saha was the district Collector of Gajapati. The project has been implemented under the direct supervision engineer Nagendra Moharana.
Observers said that the district administration earned widespread appreciation by establishing the project.
However, there are several such inaccessible areas in the district where people still reel in darkness once the sun sets.
The project could be a guiding light to implement similar projects in those inaccessible areas and ensure electricity supply to the distressed residents, they added.
