Sambalpur, March 17: A two-member team from the New Delhi-based Central Soil and Material Research Station has arrived in Burla to carry out the second-phase underwater scanning of the Hirakud dam.

"We have already started making arrangements for underwater scanning of the dam," said the Hirakud dam project's executive engineer Joshobanta Parida.

The first phase of work to assess the condition of the cracks that had been developed in the dam began on December 7 last and was over on December 26. A three-member team of the research station had recorded the underwater visuals of the multi-purpose dam with the help of a remote operated vehicle in 20 days.

Cracks had first been found on the spillway of the dam before the 1990s. The Hirakud Dam Cracks Review Panel and the Dam Safety Review Panel had suggested measures to fill the cracks. Subsequently, they were sealed in the 1990s. However, some fine cracks had not been treated at that time. The research station has been tasked with assessing the present condition of the cracks.

"Underwater scanning of the dam's spillway portion was conducted in the first phase. The vehicle will carry out the scan in the second phase. The team will take at least 20 days to finish the task," said Parida.

"They will submit the analysis report on the condition of the cracks and the dam to the water resource department after the second phase underwater scanning is completed.

"Decision on the treatment of the cracks will be taken after the analysis report," said Parida.

The two member-team includes the head of the engineering geo-physics department Alex Verghese and scientist Shiv Charan.

A sum of Rs 27 lakh will be spent on the project. The water resource department has deposited Rs 11. 63 lakh. "The remaining amount will be deposited after the analysis report on the dam's condition is received," he said.

Earlier, the research station had scanned the Mullaperiyar dam, built in Kerala in 1895, with the help of a remote operated vehicle.