PROGRESS REPORT ON DETAILED STAGE GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF

RENUKAJI DAM PROJECT, DISTRICT SIRMAUR, HIMACHAL PRADESH

(Field Season: 2009-10)
By
Manoj Kumar Kaistha, Sr. Geologist
and
Rasmi Ranjan Mahapatra, Geologist
Geological Survey of India

I. INTRODUCTION
Renukaji dam project envisages construction of a 178m high rockfill dam, three
circular (10.50 m finished diameter) concrete lined Diversion Tunnels of 1355.46 m, 1549.76
m and 1448.90 m lengths, a surface power house of 40 MW capacity located on the right bank
and a 550m long chute spillway on left bank of the Giri River. Renuka Dam project, conceived
as a drinking water supply scheme for the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The investigations have been taken up in pursuance of item No.
EG/C/NR/PHH/2009/005 of the approved programme of Geological Survey of India for the
Field Season 2009-10. The investigations were taken up at the instance of General Manager,
Renukaji Dam Project, HPPCL, District Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh.
LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY:-
Renukaji dam project is located 1.5 km upstream of Dadahu town. It is 130 km from
Chandigarh, 60 km from Paonta Sahib via Sataun and 38 km from Nahan via Dadahu well
connected by road. The project is situated near the famous tourist spot Renuka lake, is the
largest natural lake in Himachal. The nearest rail head is at Ambala, Dehradun and Chandigarh.
The nearest airports are at Chandigarh and Dehradun.
TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE:-
The project area falls in the toposheet no.53 F/6. In general area depicted a rugged
topography. Giri river which is the main drainage flows in southeast direction. The important
streamlet among the subsequent type Jagar ka Khala which flow in SW direction and meets the
Giri river just upstream of the proposed main dam axis. The Giri river after the confluence with
the Jagar ka khala turns and flows in southern direction. The flow of water varies considerably at
different seasons from raging torrents during the rains to insignificant stream during winters. The
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river bed comprises of rounded to sub- rounded boulder, cobbles, pebbles of limestone, quartzite,
and flakes of phyllites. The left bank of the Giri river is marked by curvilinear gently sloping
ridge trending NNE-SSW where as the right bank is marked by the N-S trending disected ridge.
The right bank hills are higher in elevation than the left bank hills. Both the banks rise steeply on
either side of the Giri River (Plate-1).
SEISMICITY OF THE AREA:-
The area falls within zone IV of the seismic zoning map of India (IS 1893-1966).
Therefore suitable seismic factor in design of the structures needs to be incorporated.
PREVIOUS WORK:-
1. As part of the detailed studies, two alternatives were studied for the location of proposed dam.
The earlier proposal was to located the dam at approximately 1300m downstream of confluence
of Jagar Ka khala with Giri River which was discarded due to occurrence of 39m thick fault zone
in the river bed and likely loss of reservoir water through the narrow ridge comprising Lower
Krol limestone and dolomite between Renuka lake on one side and river Giri on other side. In
view of these disadvantages, a site about 375m downstream of the confluence of Giri river with
Jagar ka Khala (450m upstream of previous site) had been selected taking advantage of pink
shale unit on a part of the abutment and in the river bed for tying the clay core of the dam. It had
been explored by means of 4 drill holes and 7 drifts (4 on left and 3 on right abutment till FSP
1972-73).
2. After review by Shri [Link] in March 1976, it was decided to shift the dam axis on the right
abutment by 60 m upstream of the previous axis and to provide an inclined clay core so that it is
tied up with the impervious shale unit of Middle Krol Formation in the river bed.
3. Based on data from exploratory drifts indicating open glide cracks extending deep into the
abutments, it is felt that stripping of left abutment is required upto 30-40m and right abutment
upto 50-55m to keys the clay core in the sound rockmass.
4. The rockmass was found to be very poor and therefore apprehended serious tunneling problems
(for 12m diameter diversion-cum-power tunnel). The tunnels with medium size diameter had
been favoured.
5. Deep excavation for proposed chute spillway would involve cutting of over 200m and is likely to
endanger the slopes.
6. The investigations by Shome and Dayal (1966-67) revealed that the foundation of dam rests on
the transitional unit. It is observed that a thick shear zone is likely to intersect at foundation level
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 throughout the length of the dam. These features along with the seismicity of the area suggests
only a rock fill structure. On the basis of the topographical and geological considerations, the best
suited site for a chute spillway appears to be on the left abutment. They apprehended problem of
the reservoir leakage through the left abutment since it has a very limited cover and an extended
grout curtain was suggested as a remedial measure.
7. The studies of Dayal and Mandwal (1968-69) identified the possible paths of reservoir leakage
mentioned by the previous workers. The likely paths can either be along the Renuka Thrust or the
Lower Krol limestone trending across the divide. Since 79% of the reservoir is occupied by soft
formations, the possibility of high siltation should also be taken into consideration.
8. Ghosh and Mahajan (1970-71) proposed a 125m high earth and rockfill dam at an alternative site,
located approx. 375m downstream of the confluence of the Giri river with Jagar ka Khala. The
shifting of the site is on the basis of the previous detailed geological mapping which indicated the
need of treatment of 39m wide fault zone in the river section and deep stripping in the abutments.
The first site proposed was 1300m d/s of the confluence of Giri river and Jagar ka Khala.
9. Ghoshand Alok (1973-74) explored the suspected buried channel course of the Giri river along
the slope on the left reservoir rim by excavating a trench on stepped pattern which exposed
terrace material above El. 675m.
10. Kumar (1974-75 and 1975-76) suggested an inclined clay core with the dam axis at the proposed
location so that the clay core is tied to the shale unit in the river bed section.
11. Kumar (1978-79) observed the presence of the glide cracks in both the right and left abutments
(noticed in DR-4 and DL-4 respectively). It is suggested that the drift should be extended to
prove atleast 15m of the sound rock at this location.
12. In case the proposal of the inclined core is considered, additional 3 drill holes were recommended
to study the bedrock configuration. These holes may be drilled 15m into the bedrock and the
permeability characterstics of the foundation rock should also be explored.
13. Kumar and Gupta (1989-90) recommended to shift the surface power house site to little
upstream, so as to locate it on a narrow ridge about 363m downstream of the proposed dam axis
close to the downstream toe of the dam.

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PRESENT WORK:-
The core logging of 12 drill holes aggregating to 668.87m has been carried out to assess
the depth of the subsurface bedrock and also to assess the rockmass quality. For better
appraisal, the dam area has been remapped on 1:2500 scale and an area of 6,79,700 sqm has
been covered during the period. The first and second authors have spent 26 and 21 days
respectively during the field season: 2009-10.
ACKNOWLWDGEMENT:-
The investigations have been carried out under the overall guidance of Sh. [Link],
Director, Engineering Geology Division-I (H.P.), Op. P.H. & H.P., Geological Survey India. The
guidance and encouragement given by him are thankfully acknowledged. The authors thankfully
acknowledge the assistance provided by the field staff of Renukaji dam project during the
geological investigations of the project.

II. REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The project area exposes rocks of Blaini, Krol and Infrakrol Formations. Dark grey
phyllite, quartzite, grey bedded limestone with shale, dolomite and pink shale are the major rock
types exposed. The rock sequence is closely folded locally into isoclinal to overturned folds,
showing repetition of beds. The general trend of folded sequence is N60°W – S60°E, has plunge
of 5° towards NW. The dam site has been located in the dolomite, which forms a synclinal
closure locally near the dam axis. The fold axis thus runs northeasterly parallel to the dam axis.
Two major faults are present in the area investigated, one near the downstream toe of the dam
and other further downstream represented by highly crushed and pulverised zone in the Infra
Krol Formation. Renuka Thrust (Giri Thrust) runs close to the upstream toe, near the confluence
of Jagar Ka khala with Giri river. It brings rocks of Middle Krol in juxtaposition with the Blaini
Formation. The narrow divide ridge between Jagar ka khala and Giri river is formed by highly
jointed and sheared limestone and dolomite. Slates of Blaini Formation are exposed along the
left abutment of Jagar Ka khala. Four level of terraces are found between Jagar ka khala and
Renuka lake at El. 920m, 860m (~40m thick), 720m and 680m. The 40m thick terrace deposit at
El. 860m extends on other side of Parsuram temple.
The stratigraphic sequence worked out by earlier workers on the basis of the geological
mapping is given below:

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 [Link]. Lithology Formation/Age
8. Landslide and Hill wash material Recent
7. River borne terrace deposits Recent to Sub-
Recent
6. Grey dolomite with few massive bands, generally Upper Krol
crumbly, highly jointed , have solution cavities and
shear seams.
5. Thinly bedded cream coloured limestone with slate Middle Krol
layers and thick red shales
4. Limestone with thin bands of shale Lower Krol
3. Slate with thin bands of limestone Transitional
2. Varved slates, carbonaceous slates, bleached Infra Krol
quartzite with thin chert bands
1. Pebbly Slate, Boulder bed with cream coloured Blaini
limestone

III. SUB-SURFACE EXPLORATION

The area has been presently explored by a 12 numbers of drill holes aggregating to 668.87m
to assess the subsurface geological condition and rock mass characteristics.
In the drill hole logs, the core recovery means the recovery of complete circular and
cylindrical core pieces (Solid Core Recovery) and any fractured recovery as fragments is neglected.
The fractured or fragmentary recovery is omitted as the same cannot be measured exactly in the core
boxes due to its spread irrespective of the size of the core retrieved during drilling. The Sx size
fragmentary core recovery will be more as compared to Nx size fragmentary core recovery for a
similar given length which gets spread in the core box. The core recovery in weak rock mass is thus
reflected as low or nil recovery though mud or fragmentary pieces are recovered at places and thus
gives a better qualitative picture.
i) Drill Hole No.- 27
The drill hole is located near the modified upstream coffer dam axis and has been drilled
vertically down to the depth of 50.15m to establish the depth of bed rock (Photo-2). The drill hole
has encountered overburden down to a depth of 29.00m. Pink shale mud is recovered between
29.00m and 31.50m followed by highly fractured pink shale with occasional plastic clay of pink
5
shale up to 37.00m depth. The light grey fractured, pitted, at places sheared (clayey recovery)
dolomitic limestone continued from 37.0m up to 45.0m depth. The fractured dolomite gave away to
thin pink shale band (recovered as pink mud) between 45.0m and 45.8m depth. From nearly 46.0m
depth the highly fractured, calcite veined, pitted dolomitic limestone showed jointing and dragging
effect and intense calcite veining (47.50m to 48.50m depth). At nearly 49.0m depth, the pink shale
appeared and continued up to drilled depth. The core recovery in bedrock between 30.50m to 50.15m
drilled depth (19.65m) is only 10.08% (very poor) while the RQD in bedrock is merely 3.92% (very
poor). The recovery in rock (core recovery plus estimated fragmentary recovery) is 26.46%. The low
recovery in rock and low core recovery both indicate the fragile (poor) nature of the rockmass
encountered along the drill hole. The permeability value varies from 662.8 to 2177.3 Lugeon within
the overburden and the maximum permeability recorded in the bedrock is 17490 Lugeon (Plate- 2).
ii) Drill Hole No.- 28
The drill hole is located in the clay core area to explore the bed rock. This hole has been
drilled vertically up to the depth of 50.10m. The drill hole has encountered overburden down to a
depth of 15.00m. The doubtful rockmass started from 15.00m to 24.00m depth as pink and grey
coloured siliceous dolomite. It is followed by white, pink and green plastic mud derived from shale
between 24.00m and 30.80m depth (representing probably some shear zone). From 30.80m to
31.00m depth, hard chert bands appeared impregnating the shale and a 20cm thick clayey zone
between 31.0m and 31.50m. The hard silica impregnated rock gave way to exclusively fine grained
white chert band between 33.30m and 34.5m followed by highly silica impregnated dolomite which
shows pitting and pale yellow surface stains between 34.5m and 35.0m. From 35.0m to 36.0m depth
green shale impregnated with siliceous matter is observed in 65cm recovery followed by a 4cm clay
zone. Silica impregnated shale continued intermittently till 42.70m depth. From 42.70m depth till the
end of the hole the thin chert/siliceous dolomite bands appeared in pink laminated shale. The core
recovery in bedrock between 30.80m and 50.10m drilled depth (19.30m) is 87.25% while the RQD
in bedrock is 39.48%. The permeability value varies from 497 to 1752.6 Lugeon within the
overburden. The permeability values in bed rock consisting of weathered shale (interpreted from the
shaly mud) varies from 419.5 to 1422.6 Lugeon between 15m and 30m depth. From 30m to 40.5m
depth in the bedrock, the permeability values decreased significantly in chert/siliceous dolomite
dominated horizon and varied from 5.46 to 18.94 Lugeon while from 42m to 50.35m depth, the
permeability values again increased in shale dominated horizons and ranged from 485.8 to 552.1
Lugeon (Plate- 3).
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iii) Drill Hole No.- 29
The drill hole is located in the clay core area to explore the bedrock. This hole has been
drilled vertically up to the depth of 50.35m. The overburden continued upto 29.60m depth composed
mainly of dolomite and quartzite boulder, cobbles and pebbles in sand/silt matrix. The bedrock
started from 29.60m depth as pink shale with few thin interbands of dolomite. From 29.60m to
39.25m, pink shale with few dolomite interbands appeared followed by pitted dolomitic limestone
with pink shale. A partly decomposed zone appeared between 39.25m and 44.30m depth. From
44.30m to 50.35m depth, highly weathered and decomposed dolomites continued. The core recovery
in bedrock between 29.60m to 50.35m drilled depth (20.75m) is 33.78% while the RQD in bedrock
is 15.37%. The permeability value varies from 397.5 to 6267.7 Lugeon within the overburden. The
bedrock showed maximum permeability value of 18.38 Lugeon (Plate- 4).
iv) Drill Hole No. -30
The drill hole is located in the clay core area towards left bank of Giri river bed to explore the
bedrock. This hole has been drilled vertically up to the depth of 50.00m. From 3.0m to 20.38m depth
only wash sample was recovered. The bedrock recovery started from 20.38m depth and continued till
23.5m depth. The drill hole intersected fractured pink shale between 23.5m and 30.80m. The shale
with subordinate dolomite and chert bands continued till the drilled depth. The core recovery in
bedrock between 20.38m and 50.00m drilled depth (29.62m) is 56.38% while the RQD in bedrock is
45.17%. The overburden shows the maximum permeability value of 6267.7 Lugeon. From depth 3m
to 33m the permeability value in bedrock varies from 369.1 to 2651.2 Lugeon while from depth
34.5m it shows sudden decrease in the permeability value from 8.46 to 18.38 Lugeon up to drilled
depth (Plate-5).
v) Drill Hole No.- 31
The drill hole is located in the clay core area towards left bank of Giri river bed to explore the
bed rock. This hole has been drilled vertically up to the depth of 65.27m. The bedrock started as pink
shale from 15.0m depth as inferred from pink shaly mud in recovery. The bedrock continued as
highly fractured to crushed pink and green shale with thin bands of highly sheared mud derived from
crushed dolomite/limestone up to 60.0m depth. The brecciated pink shale continued between 60.0m
and 61.80m depth. From 61.80m to 64.0m depth hard to very hard dolomite/siliceous dolomite
continued followed by hard pink shale up to drilled depth. The highly crushed recovery as mud may
be due to presence of some fault zone. The core recovery in bedrock between 15.00m and 65.27m
drilled depth (50.27m) is 11.60% while the RQD in bedrock is 3.26%. In the overburden the
7
permeability value varies from 41 to 119.3 Lugeon while the bedrock shows the maximum
permeability value of 29.8 Lugeon (Plate-6).
vi) Drill Hole No.- 32
The drill hole is located in the right central part of the river in clay core area to explore the
bedrock. This hole has been drilled vertically up to the depth of 50.10m. The overburden extended up
to 24.00m depth followed by pink shale mud/clay up to 30.30m (26.40m to 30.30m shale derived
mud may be due to some fault/shear). The pink shales often pitted with green shale intercalations
continued up to 49.0m depth. From 49.0m to 50.00m depth the dolomite with brownish grey chert
lenses appeared. The core recovery in bed rock between 24.00m and 50.10m drilled depth (26.10 m)
is 33.49% while the RQD in bedrock is 7.43%. The maximum permeability value recorded in the
overburden is 3702.6 Lugeon. From depth 24m to 36m the permeability value in bedrock varies from
543.9 to 772.9 Lugeon while from depth 36m it shows sudden decrease in the permeability value
from 8.28 to 18.56 Lugeon up to drilled depth (Plate-7).
vii) Drill Hole No. -33
The drill hole is located in the clay core area on left bank slope below existing road level to
explore the bedrock. This hole has been drilled vertically up to the depth of 50.00m. Pitted or sieve
textured dolomite has been encountered between 9.00m and 20.25m depth followed by fractured
pink shale up to 49.5m depth which changed to light grey dolomite in the last 50cm of 49.50m to
50.00m depth. The core recovery in bedrock between 09.00m and 50.00m drilled depth (41.00m) is
37.22% while the RQD in bed rock is 4.71%. The permeability value in the overburden varies from
175.9 to 432.2 Lugeon. The maximum permeability value in the bedrock recorded is 6.02 Lugeon
(Plate-8).
viii) Drill Hole No.-34
The drill hole is located slightly upstream of the modified dam axis on right bank to explore
the bedrock. This hole has been drilled vertically up to the depth of 50.00m. The dolomite started as
bedrock as inferred from the rock cutting in wash sample between 9.00m and [Link] bed rock is
pitted, veined, highly fractured, low strength, light grey dolomitic limestone which continued up to
29m depth. Thereafter, mildly stained and slightly pitted dark grey dolomite continued up to drilled
depth. During drilling, cavities have been reported from 25.60m to 26.20m depth (60cm) and 43.15m
to 43.50m depth (37cm). The core recovery in bedrock between 15.50m and 50.00m drilled depth
(34.50m) is 38.06% while the RQD in bedrock is 06.75%. A 37cm cavity has been recorded during
the drilling from 43.15m to 43.5m depth along the drill hole. The overburden shows the maximum
8
permeability value of 994 Lugeon. In the bedrock from depth 9m to 15m, the maximum permeability
value recorded is 993.2 Lugeon while from depth 15.0m to 50m; the maximum permeability value
recorded is 36.58 Lugeon (Plate-9).
ix) Drill Hole No.- 35
The drill hole is located slightly upstream of the modified dam axis to explore the bedrock.
This hole has been drilled vertically up to the depth of 50.00m. Bedrock started from 27m depth as
highly fractured, laminated to thinly bedded dolomite. At nearly 40.70m depth the fractured/friable
pink shale appeared with very thin intercalations of dolomite and continued up to the drilled depth.
Even the shale are weathered and pitted at places. The core recovery in bedrock between 27.00m and
50.00m drilled depth (23.00m) is 54.78% while the RQD in bedrock is 05.83%. The maximum
permeability value in the overburden recorded is 4021.2 Lugeon. In the bedrock from depth 27m to
50m, the permeability value varies between 11.3 Lugeon and 22.06 Lugeon (Plate-10).
x) Drill Hole No.- 36
The drill hole is located slightly upstream of the modified dam axis on left bank to explore
the bedrock. This hole has been drilled vertically upto the depth of 50.00m. The pink shale is inferred
between 15.0m and 16.5m depth by clayey fraction retrieved as wash sample. The fractured pink
shale continued between 16.0-20.0m, 21.0-23.0m, 28.0-30.0m and 34.80-37.0m depth. Siliceous
dolomite with chert bands appeared between 37.0m and 38.0m depth followed by fractured/crushed
recovery through the pink shale up to the drilled depth. Even the shale exhibited minute pitting and
very thin calcite veins. A 16cm band of secondary limestone is recovered between 44.65m and
44.81m depth. The core recovery in bedrock between 15.00m and 50.00m drilled depth (35.00m) is
58.71% while the RQD in bedrock is 13.49%.Full water loss is recorded during drilling from 23m to
50m depth. Drilling with triple tube core barrel is carried out from 16.50m to 50.00m depth. The
permeability value recorded in the overburden varies between 218.9 Lugeon and 526.9 Lugeon. The
bedrock shows the maximum permeability value of 14.82 Lugeon (Plate-11).
xi) Drill Hole No.- 37
The hole has been drilled vertically at upstream nala crossing on the right side of Giri river
across proposed Diversion Tunnel-I alignment for a depth of 75.50m to establish the depth of
overburden above the tunnel grade (Photo-1). The overburden continued up to 12.50m depth
composed of mainly boulders, cobble and pebbles of dolomite, quartzite and pitted limestone. The
bedrock started from 12.50m depth as dark grey to dark, low strength, moderately to highly
fractured, jointed and veined carbonaceous slates with phyllitic sheen with few bands of light to dark
9
grey, very fine grained highly fractured, jointed, veined limestone till the drilled depth of 75.50m.
The core recovery in a major part of the drill hole varied from 58% to 99% with few local exceptions
where it dropped to 0%. RQD in bedrock is negligible. The logging has established the adequate rock
cover above the tunnel grade. The permeability values in the bed rock varied from 4.53 - 12.66
Lugeon except from depth 21.50m to 23.00m, 24.50m to 26.00m, 65.00m to 68.50m and 73.00m to
74.50m where it is of 68.4, 74.6, 91.0 and 67.8 Lugeon respectively. Overburden show maximum
permeability value of 244.8 Lugeon (Plate-12)
xii) Drill Hole No.- 38
The hole has been drilled vertically at downstream nala crossing on the right side of Giri river
across proposed Diversion Tunnel-I alignment for a depth of 77.50m to establish the depth of
overburden above the tunnel grade. The overburden continued up to 8.00m depth and is composed of
boulders, cobbles and pebbles of dolomite, quartzite and pitted limestone. The bedrock started from
8.00m depth as dark grey to dark, relatively hard, sparsely to moderately fractured, jointed, and
veined carbonaceous shale /slate with phyllitic sheen, calcareous slate with few bands of light grey to
dark, very fine grained highly fractured, jointed, veined limestone/dolomite up to 77.50m depth. The
core recovery in a major part of the drill hole varied from 75% to 99% with few local exceptions
where it dropped to as low as 50%. The RQD varied from 00 to 65%. The logging has established
the adequate rock cover above the tunnel grade. The permeability values in the bedrock except top
3m part varied from 2.5 - 9.1 Lugeon. Overburden show maximum permeability value of 476.2
Lugeon (Plate-13).

IV. GEOLOGICAL MAPPING AND GEOTECHNICAL EVALUATION

The detailed geological mapping on 1:2500 scale has been carried out in 6,79,700 sqm area
around the Renukaji Dam Project (Plate-14). Subsequently three L – sections (Plate-15) are prepared
along the Diversion tunnels DT-I, DT-II and DT-III, in order to understand the geology and infer the
subsurface structure. The geological cross sections based on detailed geological mapping and drill
hole data along the present proposed dam axis and clay core area have been prepared for better
understanding of the sub-surface rock mass depth and structure.

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Lithology and Stratigraphy:-
Lithounits belonging to the Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group are well exposed in the
large part of the mapped area.
Infrakrol Formation:-The lithounits of Infra Krol Formation are predominantly bleached shale,
stained slates and quartzite followed by Transition zone –I constituted by alternating bands of
shale/slate and thin limestone bands.
Krol Group:- Krol Group comprises bedded limestone followed by Transition zone –II that has thin
alternating bands of shale/slate, highly fractured and solution affected limestone and dolomite of
Lower Krol Formation and pink shale/slate of the Middler Krol Formation.

Overburden
Pink Shale/slate Middle Krol Formation
Cavernous, pitted limestone
Transition zone-II Lower Krol Formation
Bedded limestone
Transition zone-I
Infra Krol Formation
Bleached shale and slate

Shale/slate of Infra Krol are exposed downstream of the proposed dam axis and near Renuka
Bridge are soft, fissile and show bleaching to ash grey colour and frequently sheared. The strike of
the foliation is N35ºW-S35ºE to N80ºW-S80ºE with dip varies from 60º-80º towards NE and
N65ºW-S65ºE to N80ºE-S80ºW with dip 50º-75º towards SW to SE direction. It also contains few
quartzite bands with thin chert layers along the foliation joints. Dominant joints recorded are J1= N-S
to N15ºW-S15ºE/50º-80º W to SW, J2=N65ºW-S65ºE to N80ºE-S80ºW/40º-85º SE to SW, J3=
N20ºE-S20ºW to N75ºE-S75ºW/40º-85ºNW and J4= N5ºW-S5ºE to N40ºW-S40ºE/35º-65º SE.
Towards its upper contact with the Lower Krol Formation, the in between zone comprising
alternating bands of shale/slate and thin limestone bands are termed as Transition zone-I. The
foliation in this zone strikes N75ºW-S75ºE to N80ºW-S80ºE with dip varying from 55º-65º towards
NE direction and N70ºW-S70ºE with dip varing from 60º-85º towards SW direction . Three sets of
joints J1= N60ºW-S60ºE/75ºSW, J2= N15ºE-S15ºW to N20ºE-S20ºW/85ºNW to Vertical and J3=
N25ºE-S25ºW/85ºSE are also recorded.

11
 The Lower Krol Formation comprises predominantly bedded limestone followed by thin
alternating bands of limestone and shale/ slate designated presently as Transition zone-II. The highly
fractured, crumbly and solution affected limestone and dolomite follows the Transition zone-II.
The bedded limestone which is exposed upstream of the Transition Zone-I is hard, compact,
massive, light grey to buff coloured, bedded and blocky in nature followed again by the same
transition zone-I. The beds in the bedded limestone strikes in N50ºW-S50ºE to N80ºE-S80ºW with
dip varies from 40-80º both in NW-NE and SE-SW direction influenced by two sets of joints
J1=N30ºE-S30ºW to N50ºE-S50ºW/30º-70ºNW and J2= N50ºE-S50ºW/50ºNE. This bedded
limestone is affected by a slide in the left bank of the Giri river with the crown of which is located
below the Dadahu-Pannar road.
The Transition zone-I is followed by the bleached shale/slate of Infra Krol Formation while the
bedded limestone is again repeated. The Infra Krol rocks are frequently crushed and sheared. It also
contains few quartzite bands with thin chert layers. The strike of the foliation is N25ºW-S25ºE to
N80ºE-S80ºW with dip varing from 50º-80º both in SW and NE directions and sometimes vertical.
Four dominant joints J1= N20ºW-S20ºE/74º NE, J2=N10ºW-S10ºE to N70ºW-S70ºE/55º-80º SW,
J3= N20ºE-S20ºW to N45ºE-S45ºW/55º-80ºSE and J4= N20ºE-S20ºW to N40ºE-S40ºW/35º-65º SE
are also recorded.
The modified dam site area is occupied by the pitted, crumbly and solution affected limestone
in both the abutments (Photo-3 and 4). The foliation strikes N45ºW-S45ºE to N85ºW-S85ºE with dip
varying from 44º to 68º towards SW. The attitude of the four sets of joints recorded are J1=N50ºE-
S50ºW/75ºSE, J2=N45ºW-S45ºE/65ºSW, J3=N-S to N50ºE-S50ºW/35º-78ºNW and J4=N-S/74ºE.
The valley walls are fairly steep. In the left bank two to three sheared and crushed zones are marked.
Towards downstream it is followed by the thin alternating bands of limestone and shale/ slate
designated here as Transition zone-II which separates it from the bedded limestone and towards
upstream by the pink shale/slates of Middle Krol Formation.
The proposed inclined clay core area exposes pink shale/slate of Middle Krol Formation. The
pink shales are highly fractured, thin calcite veined, pitted at places and thinly laminated. The
general strike of the foliation varies between N50ºW-S50ºE and E-W with dip varying between 40º
and 85º in SW to S direction and N75º W-S70ºE to N80ºE-S80ºW with the dip varying from 54º to
65º in NE and NW direction. The rock is influenced by three sets of joints J1=N50ºE-S50ºW/36ºNE,
J2=N30ºE-S30ºW/75ºNW and J3=N40ºW- S40ºE/70ºSE. Two minor faults are marked on right bank
with fault plane dipping 80º towards north and 85º towards south.
12
 The pink shales are followed by the pitted, highly fractured, crumbly dolomite near the
proposed upstream coffer dam axis in the right bank where in left bank the area is mostly concealed
beneath thick debris cover. Therefore a 60 m deep drill hole DH-39 has been suggested from
El.729.020 m (Coordinates- E 216880 :: N 881017.768) along the left side of the upstream coffer
dam to explore the bedrock.
The proposed spillway area on left bank of the Giri river has also concealed beneath thick
debris cover and the drill holes drilled in this area have not given the adequate information due to
poor quality of the rock mass and partly due to the poor drilling too. Therefore an exploratory drift
DL-8 has been planned in the spillway area to explore the foundation grade rock. The 125m drift has
been planned at EL. 666.832m on the Dadahu-Sangdah road which shall be driven due east direction
till the central line of the spillway before deciding its cross cuts. The coordinates of the drift location
on ground is E 216445.828 :: N 87477.744.
Various shear zones encountered during the mapping and their respective location, thickness,
attitude have been given as below
No River Shear Strike Amount of Description of sheared Formation
side Thickness Dip and material / infiilings
direction
S-1 Left bank S80°E 70°,N At places 15-80 cm thick Infra Krol
(Photo- near the gouge/crushed material Formation
5) Renuka along multiple shears in
bridge black carbonaceous
phyllites
S-2 Left bank 5m S60°E 60°-65°,N Fracturing in Cream Transition
coloured bedded dolomite zone-I of
due to shear drag effect Krol
and marginal thin 5-10 cm Formation
crushed zones
S-3 Left bank 8m wide E-W 48°,N Highly fractured, soft, Infra Krol
(photo- zone carbonaceous material carbonaceo
8) with up to 18 cm shear us phyllite
seams
S-4 Left bank 25m zone S75°E 30°,N Multiple thin shear seams Infra Krol
with limonitic infilled
material highly weathered
thinly foliated, fractured /
shattered zone in
quartzites
S-5 Left bank 27-30 cm S35°E 65°,S Highly decomposed and Transition
foliated zone zone-I
S-6 Left bank 62 cm S50°E 40°,S Bedding shear , highly Lower Krol
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No River Shear Strike Amount of Description of sheared Formation
side Thickness Dip and material / infiilings
direction
(Photo- fractured zone with clay Formation
7) coatings along joints
S-7 Left bank 220 cm S60°E 28°,S highly fractured crumbly Lower Krol
zone in dolomite Formation
S-8 Left bank 14m zone S45°E 45°,S 65 cm Bedding shear in Lower Krol
sheared mass of crumbly Formation
dolomite with Sugar cube d/s of the
jointing dam axis
S-9 Right 10m & 3m N50°- 58°-74°,N Lower Krol
bank sheared / 60°W Formation
pulverised
zone in
bedded
limestone
in slide
area
S-10 Right 42m wide S35°E 50°, S Hollow openings in the Lower Krol
(Photo- bank cavernous solution affected Formation
6) limestone limestone and 50-60 cm
zone thick fissile black slate
along zone.
river bank

The mapping revealed that the formations are thrown into a series of folds both along and
across the river, which is revealed by repetitive nature of the lithologies maintaining the lateral
continuity and which also ruled out the presence of any presence of fault. The rock formations
exposed in the area are closely folded, in general and trend in N50ºW-S50ºE direction. A major
synclinal axis is seen upstream of the proposed outlet location of three diversion tunnel where Lower
Krol and Infra Krol Formations are folded in syncline and then in an anticline. The Middle Krol
Formation again forms a synform, upstream of the proposed modified dam axis.
The L-sections along the diversion tunnels show that tunnels would pass through the pink
shales followed by pitted, crumbly and at places cavernous limestone, Transition Zone –II constituted
by the green slates and thin limestone bands, bedded limestone unit followed by Transition zone –I
constituted by alternating bands of shale/slate and thin limestone bands and InfraKrol Formation
consisting of friable soft shale and carbonaceous slates which are frequently sheared (Plate-15). The
bedded limestone is not expected to repeat itself again along the tunnel alignment in its southern part
as per the geological section (but its appearance cannot be ruled out in such a folded terrain). The
14
tunnel is expected to skip this unit and shall again pass through the Transition zone-I and finally open
out in Infra Krol. The drill holes DH-37 & DH-38 drilled along the DT-I alignment at lowest
topographical levels substantiated the findings of the geological section. The proportion of the tunnel
alignment passing through the pink shale and pitted, crumbly /cavernous limestone unit may vary as
the rocks in this area are highly folded and exact estimation is not possible. The pink shales are
expected to behave as weak tunneling media more so when these are saturated with water. The pitted,
crumbly limestone which at places is cavernous in nature will also be a weak tunneling media as it is
cross cut by a number of thin shears. Both these units will offer little stand up time and hence positive
supports in the form of steel ribs with backfill concrete has to be provided during heading stage of
excavation. The Transition zone –II too has thin alternating bands of shale/slate and limestone which
is expected to be poor to rarely fair tunneling media and the provision of steel supports would have to
be kept. The bedded limestone may offer fairly good stand up time provided the tunneling reach is
not highly fractured or jointed. The provision of immediate shotcrete and rockbolts should be kept in
this reach but very poor reaches intersected by fracture zones have to supported by steel ribs and
backfilled with concrete. The Transition zone-I would also be mainly poor with few fair reaches and
would require primarily the steel rib supports with complete concrete backfill. Infrakrols are
represented by carbonaceous slates and bleached shales interspersed by shear zones and thus would
behave as very poor tunneling media offering little or no standup time. To avoid extensive overbreaks
cautious advance by controlled blasting techniques and short pull must be adopted. Though the nalas
passing over the alignment are dry but tunneling during the rainy season may saturate the rock and
would lower the shear strength parameters of the rockmass and therefore due care must be taken
during the tunnel excavation beneath these nalas. The diversion tunnels are envisaged to be of 10.5
diameter and hence tunneling must be carried out by heading and benching technique with concurrent
supports. Appropriate lag must be maintained in the heading benching. In case all the excavations
start simultaneously, appropriate lag must be maintained in the adjoining excavations of the diversion
tunnels.
The geological section (D-D’) prepared along the proposed dam axis taking into account of
the details of geological map and the drill hole data has revealed the presence of ±42m thick
overburden from the river bed ±EL 630m up to maximum depth of ±EL.592m followed by
cavernous and pitted limestone of Lower Krol Formation and pink limestone of Upper Krol
Formation of Krol Group (Plate-16).

15
 The geological section (E-E’) prepared along the proposed clay core area has revealed the
presence of maximum ±29m thick overburden at the river bed. The pitted, crumbly and at places
cavernous limestone is encountered in the left bank of the river followed by the pink shale of Upper
Krol Formation which shows its lateral continuity both banks (Plate-17).

V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

For better appraisal of the area, the detailed geological re-mapping on 1:2500 scale has been
carried out in 6,79,700 sqm area around the Renukaji Dam Project. The project area exposes rocks of
Krol Group and Infra Krol Formation. Bleached shale and stained slate, quartzite, Transition zone –I
constituted by alternating bands of shale/slates and thin limestone band, bedded limestone,
transitional zone –II constituted by thin alternating bands of shale/slate, highly fractured and solution
affected limestone and dolomite and pink shale/slate are the major rock types exposed. These rocks
are thrown into a series of folds both along and across the river which is revealed by repetitive nature
of the lithologies maintaining the lateral continuity and which also ruled out the presence of any
fault.
The subsurface explorations by drilling has been carried out to assess the depth of the
subsurface bedrock and also to assess the rockmass quality along the proposed dam axis, clay core
area, u/s coffer dam axis and along the alignment of the diversion tunnel-I. The drill holes DH-28,
29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 drilled at or near the clay core area have established the maximum of ±29m
thick over burden where the drill holes DH-34, 35 and 36 drilled slightly upstream of the modified
dam axis have established the maximum of ±27m thick overburden. The drill hole DH-37 and 38
drilled along the alignment of the diversion tunnel-I have established the presence of adequate rock
cover above the tunnel grade.
The L-section revealed that the Diversion tunnels would pass through the pink shales
followed by pitted, crumbly, cavernous limestone and bedded limestone of Krol Group and
carbonaceous slates and bleached shales of Infra Krol Formation. The pink shale, pitted, crumbly
/cavernous limestone unit,Transition zone-I, Transition-II and Infra Krol Formation are expected to
behave as weak tunneling media and would offer little stand up time. Hence positive supports in the
form of steel ribs with backfill concrete has to be provided during heading stage of excavation. To
avoid extensive overbreaks cautious advance by controlled blasting techniques and short pull must be
adopted. The diversion tunnels are envisaged to be of 10.5 diameter and hence tunneling must be
carried out by heading and benching technique with concurrent supports. Appropriate lag must be
16
maintained in the heading benching. In case all the excavations start simultaneously, appropriate lag
must be maintained in the adjoining excavations of the diversion tunnels.
A 60 m deep drill hole DH-39 has been suggested from El.729.020 m (Coordinates- E
216880 :: N 881017.768) along the left side of the upstream coffer dam to explore the bed rock since
the area along left bank along the u/s coffer dam axis is mostly concealed beneath thick debris cover.
Another hole is suggested in this area along the ridge to ascertain the rock profile of the dam top
level of 778m to study the implication of the seepage across the ridge.
An exploratory drift DL-8 has been planned in the spillway area to explore the foundation
grade rock as the drill holes have not given the adequate information due to poor quality of the
rockmass and partly due to the poor drilling too. The 125m drift has been planned at EL. 666.832m
on the Dadahu-Sangdah road which shall be driven due east direction till the central line of the
spillway before deciding its cross cuts. The coordinates of the drift location on ground would be E
216445.828 :: N 87477.744.

17
 REFERENCES
Shome, S. and 1966-67 Progress report no 1 on the planning stage geological
Dayal, H.M. investigations for the Renuka (Dadahu) Dam Project, Sirmaur
District, Himachal Pradesh, Unpublished Report, Geological
Survey of India (F.S.1966-67).
Dayal, H. M. 1967-68 Progress report no 2 on the planning stage geological
investigations for the Renuka (Dadahu) Dam Project, Sirmaur
District, Himachal Pradesh, Unpublished Report, Geological
Survey of India (F.S.1967-68).
Ghosh, D. K. and 1970-71 Progress report no. 5 on the detailed geological investigations for
Mahajan, J. L. the Dadahu Dam Project, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh.
Unpublished Report, Geological Survey of India (F.S.1970-71).
Ghosh, D. K. and 1973-74 Progress report no. 8 on the detailed geological investigations for
Alok, B. K the Dadahu Dam Project, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh.
Unpublished Report, Geological Survey of India (F.S.1973-74).
Kumar, S. 1974-75 and Progress report no 9 on the geological investigations of the
1975-76 Dadahu Dam Project, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh.
Unpublished Report, Geological Survey of India (F.S. 1974-75
and 1975-76).
Kumar, S. 1978-79 Progress report no 11 on the geological investigations of the
Dadahu Dam Project, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh.
Unpublished Report, Geological Survey of India (F.S. 1978-79).
Kumar, S. and 1989-90 Progress report no 12 on the geological investigations of the
Gupta, Harsh Dadahu Dam Project, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh.
Unpublished Report, Geological Survey of India (F.S. 1989-90).
Kumar, S. and 2007-08 and A Report On Subsurface Explorations Carried out at the Renukaji
Kaistha M.K. 2008-09 Dam Project, District Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. Unpublished
Report, Geological Survey of India (F.S. 2007-08 and 2008-09)
.

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