Okay, so a visit to my town. I am so exhilarated to write this blog. Oh, wait, I am writing on the blog that I am excited to write. Funny right? But seriously, I am because I just love telling people about my town and its beauty. There is so much to know about this place. Let’s start with where it is situated. Ah, in excitement, I forgot to mention the name of my town. So, I am from Rawatbhata.
Where is Rawatbhata?
Rawatbhata is a town and a municipality in Chittorgarh district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is 50 km from the nearest city, Kota. Rawatbhata is connected to the major routes in-country through Kota. It has an average elevation of 325 meters (1066 feet). In the 1960s, due to the location of this remote place on the Chambal River and the least resistance by local tribal communities, this place was chosen for building a nuclear power plant with support from Canadian-based AECL.
What is it known for? (Nuclear Power Plant)
At present, India has seven nuclear power plants. One of them is situated in Rawatbhata.
Rawatbhata Site consists of 6 units of PHWR under operation and two units of PHWR under construction.
- Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS 1) (100 MWe) PHWR completely defueled and maintained under dry preservation.
- Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS 2) (200 MWe) under operation
- Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS 3 & 4) (2 x 220 MWe PHWR)
- Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS 5 & 6) (2 x 220 MWe PHWR)
- Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP 7 & 8) (2 x 700 MWe PHWR)
The Rs 18,000-crore Nuclear Fuel Fabrication Facility and Zirconium Fabrication Facility has been proposed to come up at Rawatbhata. It will cater to the needs of the upcoming 10 units of 700 MW atomic power plant in the country. It is likely to be completed by 2022. The Rawatbhata plant will be the second nuclear fuel facility after Hyderabad, which was built in 1971.
Heavy Water Plant
Heavy Water Plant is based on the bi-thermal H20-H2S exchange process. The plant is integrated with RAPS for its supply of power and steam. An oil-fired Steam Generation Plant is also added to ensure an uninterrupted supply of steam during the shutdown periods of RAPS. Water from the nearby Rana Pratap Sagar reservoir, on the Chambal River, purified of suspended and dissolved impurities, forms the process feed with the D20.
Baroli Temple
They are one of the earliest temple complexes in Rajasthan with beautifully carved stonework in the Pratihara architectural style. They were built in around 10th to 11th centuries A.D. during the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire. There are eight temples situated within a walled enclosure. There is a sacred tank (Bawari) next to the temple, which has a stepped approach leading to the edge of the water. Such exquisitely carved idols and rock-cut structures are rarely found anywhere. The most disheartening thing is that some idols were brutally damaged by invaders centuries ago, and it is beyond repair.
Rana Pratap Sagar Dam
The Rana Pratap Sagar Dam is a gravity masonry dam of 53.8 meters (177 ft) height built on the Chambal River. The dam is designed to pass a planned flood discharge of 18,408.00 m3/s through a spillway structure. It is provided with 17 crest gates of 18.3 mx8.53m size above the spillway crest for the purpose. Besides, sluice gates have also been provided in the body of the dam at lower levels to remove silt deposited in the dam. The powerhouse is located on the left side of the spillway. It consists of 4 units of 43 MW each, with firm power generation of 90 MW at 60% load factor. When the dam gates open, it becomes more beautiful.
Some more places to visit
As you have seen on the map, most of the Rawatbhata area is near the river bank. So there are many places to visit, like ghats, falls, etc. There is also a saddle dam. A saddle dam is an auxiliary dam constructed to confine the reservoir. It is created by a primary dam to permit a higher water elevation and storage, or to limit the extent of a reservoir for increased efficiency. There is a submersible bridge. A submersible bridge lowers the bridge deck below the water level to permit waterborne traffic to use the waterway. There are more places like Chulia falls, Crocodile Point, Padhajhar Mahadev, Chota Jharna, hanging bridge, and some hilly areas too.
Why do I love this place?
I love nature. I prefer a natural place over a mall. I, along with my friends, go to some river bank, falls, or a hilltop from where the whole Rawatbhata is visible and just talk. That gives me comfort. Some call me a small-town girl, but I like this place more than a city. Rather than a city full of pollution and noise, I prefer this small town with so much peace and a fresh, natural environment. Also, the Mukundra Hills on Kota to Rawatbhata road is becoming a tiger reserve. The colony area is also peaceful, with people of different caste and religions living peacefully together.
Conclusion
Though you will not get cafes, McDonald’s and malls here it’s a place worth visiting. You can visit the Nuclear Power Plant and can see the internal functions. You can visit the dam and its plant where electricity is produced. Baroli temple, which is known for its history, is a religious place. Also, there are many temples. Colonies are clean and hygienic. And the river banks and falls are soothing. Now I am tongue-tied but will suggest you visit Rawatbhata.
Happy reading!
– Khushboo
Utkarshini Journal 