Future generation of civil engineers should be divers
Two things fill the human mind with increasingly wonder and awe. They are the starry horizons above us and the vast expanses of water called the ocean enveloping round the good old mother earth. It is the vivid intimations of immortality from the sea, the rivers that arrests the attention of scuba divers who plunge into it both recreationally and professionally to gauge it. Chartered Engineer Ratnakar Dalai is one such species of humanity who has displayed his acts of daredevilry through his unique mode of underwater diving bringing laurels for Odisha. He is the number one engineer diver of the county and probably the 20th of the world. He was the chosen one to make a survey on the Mullaperiyar Dam in Tamil Nadu after a direction of Supreme Court while settling the dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu in 2009.
After having his BTech from the Utkal University in 1990, he had a stint in the police department from 1995 to 2004. In 2004, he joined as an Assistant Engineer in the Odisha Water Resources Department. He was Principal of the Crew Training College and trained internees for vessels. It was at this point of time when he authored four books, ‘Sea Man’, ‘Ship and Navigation’, ‘Boat Building & Maintenance’ and ‘Fishing Technology & Engine Theory’ for trainees. Currently, he is working as Superintending Engineer at the Puri Irrigation Division. The Government has specially permitted him to act as a diver and undertake activities like rescue operations during emergencies and investigate the health of the reservoirs as and when required. The Home Department has empowered him to impart training to police and Fire Service personnel when needed. In an interview to The Pioneer, Dalai spoke to Sugyan Choudhury about his underwater mission.
You are acclaimed as an international engineer scuba diver. What made you to be interested in this endeavour?
When I was working in the dam safety organisation under the Water Resources Department, I noticed that divers from Thailand and other places are coming to investigate the dams like Hirakud and Rengali of Odisha. I thought why should not I become a diver and do the same in my State and the nation.
Who was your mentor?
When in the dam safety organisation in 2009, I chanced to meet in Andaman a lady instructor, Gayatri Jayaraman from Tamil Nadu. She was then the scuba diving instructor there. She advised me to opt for a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) diving course to give me an added advantage in my career.
When did you have your diving training?
I was initiated into this training in 2009. It was at Andaman. The training is a continuous process. Now that new technology is coming into this venture, I am to get myself updated every month.
What are your major works as an engineer scuba diver?
There are many scuba divers, but I am the only one engineer scuba diver in the country and probably the 20th one in the international level. I used to investigate the dams with full technical data with the support of the associated logistics. That is how an engineer diver stands apart from other divers. My essential job is to investigate the health status of the dams. In Odisha alone, there are 204 dams and in the whole country there are 600 approximately. Each year, two routine in-depth surveys of the health status of the dams are carried on, before and after the monsoon. The checkup of the dams by engineer divers provides antidotes to possible devastations due to breaches in reservoirs.
One has to determine the longevity of the structures, whether the gates of the dams are in full operation and such other minute details.
What are the new technologies you adopt doing the survey?
With the new technologies coming in, we scan the health status of the dams under water by using remote operated vehicles, eco-scanners, eco-imagine, eco-sounder in order to carry out our mission through non-destructive tests.
You have been lauded for your survey of the Mullaperiyar Dam at the behest of the Supreme Court. Could you please tell us about your achievement there?
There was a longstanding dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The dam is situated at the confluence of two rivers, Mulla and Periyar. It is situated within the jurisdiction of Kerala while the water for irrigation for two lakh hectares of land is utilised by Karnataka. The Supreme Court directed for a report on the status of the dam under the Chairmanship of Technical Committee headed by noted engineer G Subramaniam. The upper structure of the dam was studied by scientists from the National Soil Rock Institute of India. For underwater survey, I was chosen. The Karnataka Government accorded me a Cabinet status and protocol. The underwater survey of the dam took me for four days along with my team. It was an arduous task completed for which the Karnataka Government profusely thanked our Odisha Government.
Any other memorable experience during your underwater expedition?
Yes, of course. Once, I was asked to make a survey of the Sathnur Dam of Karnataka. After going under water, I and my team discovered to our dismay that there were huge numbers of crocodiles both upstream and downstream. My team was disappointed. I did not lose my composure and soon established contact with my instructor and international expert Mr Allen Border from Australia, who readily suggested me, “Mr Dalai, you go down after netting 50 feet underneath as crocodiles do not go below after 20 feet in water.” That fortified me with courage and conviction. We all went below being covered in nets and successfully completed the mission. My hairs stand on edge when I reminisce this blood-curdling experience.