The main purpose of the dam is
hydroelectricity generation with some
irrigation in neighboring areas. Today the
Koyna Hydroelectric Project is the second largest completed hydroelectric power plant in India having a total installed capacity of . Due to its electricity generating potential, Koyna river is considered as the 'life line of Maharashtra'. The spillway of the dam is located at the center. It has 6
radial gates. The dam plays a vital role of
flood controlling in
monsoon season. The catchment area dams the Koyna river and forms the
Shivasagar Lake which is approximately in length. It is one of the largest civil engineering projects commissioned after Indian independence. The Koyna hydro-electric project is run by the
Maharashtra State Electricity Board. The
dam has withstood many
earthquakes in the recent past, including the devastating
1967 Koynanagar earthquake, resulting in the dam developing some cracks. After the
disaster grouting of the cracks was done. Also internal holes were drilled to relieve the
hydrostatic pressures in the body of the dam. Indian scientific establishment has formulated an ambitious project to drill a deep
borehole in the region and intensely study the earthquake activity. This would help in better understanding and possible forecast of earthquakes. The proposal is to drill up to 7 km and study the physical,
geological and
chemical processes and properties of the
reservoir triggered earthquake zone in real time. It would be an international project to be led by Indian scientists. In 1973 the non-overflow portion of the dam was strengthened, followed by strengthening the
spillway section in 2006. Now the dam is expected to be safe against any future earthquake, including ones with a higher intensity than that of 1967. == See also ==