Hirakud Power Development (stage III) with particular reference to power channel closure works in 1988–89

Closure of a power station is a rare event and more so when it is the Hirakud system, which was the back bone of Orissa power grid. The then OSEB authorities decided to take a “3 month” closure of Hirakud Power System to take up some critical unavoidable works before commissioning the 7^th unit. All closure works were awarded to OCC Ltd with a mandate to complete the works in time or face heavy penalties. Good rates were offered alongwith performance incentives and OCC were given a free hand to adopt their own construction planning. OCC Ltd. adopted many unconventional methods to suit to the situation at site and all these were approved by authorities in the interest of quick execution of works. The works were completed four days prior to the schedule date inspite of a lot of field problems. The author was associated with these works as the General Manager of OCC Ltd being in overall charge of all works. After so many years of the actual execution of works, the author remembers the various aspects of Hirakud Power System with Particular reference to the closure works between 1.12.1988 & 24.2.1989. A few construction photographs are enclosed which depict some of the important works during the closure period.