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The Yogi Adityanath government will soon conduct a crack mapping and identification survey of the Rihand Dam in Pipri, Sonbhadra.
The assessment and marking of above-water and underwater cracks will be carried out using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and underwater drones.
Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, under Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL), has begun the process to select an agency for this task.
The survey will include videography of a 35,000-square metre riverbed area, utilising 2D and 3D data capturing technology. The upstream surface mapping will be completed, forming the basis for a detailed project report on the dam’s condition.
This process will be completed within three months after the agency selection and work allocation, with an estimated cost of Rs 76.50 lakh.
The crack identification process at Rihand Dam, renowned for its unique natural beauty and that attracts tourists from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, will utilise cutting-edge technology.
State-of-the-art equipment will conduct videography above and below the water on the dam’s upstream wall to assess parameters such as measurements (length, width, and depth) and the condition of construction materials.
The inspection will cover an area up to the reservoir floor (approximately 35,000 square metre) and an area above water (approximately 10,000 square metre).
This work will be carried out using ROVs equipped with data capturing devices, low-light HD cameras, depth sensors, altimeters, and lasers for underwater assessment and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for 2D and 3D data capturing.
Using the data collected from the survey, defects will be identified and marked with specialised software, and measurements will be reported for areas above the water level to detail the defects. Each frame will be placed and geotagged on the dam, referencing a marking grid on its face.
The engineer-in-charge (executive engineer, Rihand Colony Civil Maintenance Division, Pipri, Sonbhadra, UP) will serve as the nodal authority overseeing the execution of the work.
The engineer-in-charge will monitor each stage carried out by the contractor agency. Following the inspection, a visual analysis of the raw data will be submitted, identifying any visible issues such as cracks, potholes, or material deterioration. Each frame will be geotagged and depth-marked.
The agency will prepare and provide a detailed project report, a soft copy, and a processed HD video on a pen drive.