Symbiotic Partnership between Academia and Industry:

Case Study of Miraj Odha (Maharashtra)

Abstract

The conservation of natural resources is inevitable in order to ensure sustainable development.

Restoration of natural streams i. e. natural drainage systems is one of the conservation practices being
perceived recently. This generally includes, removal of encroachments, widening and deepening of
the streams filled up with waste and debris, for improvement of capacity as well as plantation for
stability of side slopes.

Case study of Miraj-Odha (an intermittent stream) is considered for this paper, which is
narrowed due to encroachments, covered by shrubs and also undergone heavy sedimentation resulting
into shallower depth, leading to flood hazards, hygiene problems, and overall poor utilization of flowing
water.

The restoration of Miraj Odha is being done by public participation with the help of an NGO,
Development Forum, Sangli Miraj. The task of preparation of Detailed Technical Report was allotted
to a group of Final Year B. Tech (civil) students of Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli which was
accomplished as a project. A suitable methodology involving an amalgamation of modern instruments
(Total Station Surveying) and software (GIS, AutoCAD CIVIL 3D ) was used for efficient designing of
stream to be restored .This project set an example for symbiotic partnership between academia and
industry lead to the utilization of knowledge of students to the society and industrial experience to the
students.

Key Words: Symbiotic Partnership between Academia and Industry, Restoration of natural stream,
Total Station, GIS, AutoCAD CIVIL 3D.

1. Introduction
1.1 Relevence
Nature is abandoned by various ways in all parts of India. Most of the time, many problems need
to be faced due to drought and unseasoned rain and thus, making farmers at its prime target. Indian
farming is fully dependent on rain and natural water resources. So, to overcome problems faced due
to water shortage, there is need to improve flow of rivers, streams, runnels, etc. and to stop polluting
them.

The old splendour of Miraj Odha is very well known to people of Miraj Taluka. It is a 19.6km
stream in Sangli District of Maharashtra, used to flow through six villages (Manmodi Kakadwadi
Tanang Sawali Miraj Waddi), providing water to nearby wells and farms. Most of the project area
lies under agricultural sector involving Black cotton soil. Total watershed area of the stream is
56.58sq.km.

During last 5-6 decades, the vessel of stream is filled with sediment due to dumping of waste,
rubbish, construction materials, encroachment of farmlands, etc. During rainy season, water gets
accumulated in the depressions creating marshy land and stagnation areas. Thus, the health of
community in that area gets affected. So, there is need for widening and deepening of the stream,
stabilizing side-slope using bamboo plantation, along with the dredging of settled sediments and
dumping the same at appropriate location. This will enable the water to flow through it without any
obstruction so that farmers and citizens of Miraj Taluka will get benefited.

Restoration or conservation projects require an integrated, inter-agency partnership all working

towards a common goal involving the educational institutions, City Corporation, Irrigation Department,
Public Works Department (PWD) and Pollution Control Board. In the same way, this project was initiated
by vigilant citizens of city who participated in this activity by providing Excavator-Dumper, by sponsoring
some part of work and also by economical support.

1.2 Public Participation in Restoration Projects

The main inspiration behind Restoration of Miraj Odha was the Project of Agrani River in Sangli
District. It was carried out by public participation and under administration of Jalbiradari NGO, (A
reputed NGO headed by Rajendra Singh, and working in the field of Water Conservation). The project
started from initial funding of around 75 lakh Rs, (55 Lakh from Siddhivinayak Trust and 20 from other
donors.) Before commencement of work, the situation was not quite good. There was always a
condition of drought in Agrani River Basin as there was a tremendous encroachment. Hence the river
flow was obstructed at many locations because the vessel of Agrani River was filled with sediments.
The Tahasildar (Administrative officer) was requested to remove the encroachment. Then the
excavation was started by paying wages for the machinery, yet the supervisors were working
voluntarily. Unseasonal rain happened after a month of start of work and the stakeholders were very
much impressed after watching the output of work in terms of water filled in the River. After that
incident, the public was so much excited that, all the further work was carried out almost at a zero
commercial cost. Afterwards, a weir was constructed by the public movement. That work was very
much appreciated by the district collector. Furthermore, above public movement made a moral pressure
on the government for the restoration of remaining stretch of Agrani River. It led to construction of
series of weirs along with excavated vessel. In 2015, that restoration work was honoured by the Chief
Minister of Maharashtra State. Then the government declared a scheme of Jalyukta Shivar on the same
basis.

Though these type of restoration/rejuvenation projects are always beneficial, there a need of
scientific methodology and a proper appraisal technique (for example social cost benefit analysis)
for restoration work.

1.3 Objectives & Scope of the Work

Objectives of the project can be defined as follows -

1. To determine present topographical situation of the stream using modern surveying equipment.

2. To determine watershed area of the stream using GIS technology.

3. To determine the peak discharge coming into the stream.

4. To allot appropriate channel section to the stream for the designed discharge.

5. To compute cut and fill volume of earthwork to be carried out for the restoration of stream and for
the kaccha road along the eastern bank.

6. To provide appropriate natural measures for minimizing erosion along the bank and to support re-
oxygenation of stream water.

Development Forum - Sangli- Miraj (A Non-Government Organization) is working for various

development activities required for social benefits of Sangli district. They found various problems faced
by people of Miraj Taluka due to present condition Miraj Odha. Total Stretch of Miraj Odha is 19.6 km
running from Manmodi to Vaddi. The upstream stretch running from four villages (Manmodi,
Kakadwadi, Tanang and Sawali) comes under Jalyukt Shivar Scheme. But there was no Government
scheme for restoration of stretch falling in Miraj City. So they decided to restore it with Municipal and
Social contribution and we, the students of Walchand college of Engineering, Sangli were asked to
study technical detailing required for restoration of the Odha and to present Detailed Project Report
(DPR).
 Total Stretch of Miraj Odha is 19.6 km running from Manmodi to Vaddi, out of this 2.6 km stretch
from Sawali Bridge to Malgaon Bridge is studied for our project. Remaining stretch of the Odha is
restored by other municipal authority (like Jalyukt Shivar Scheme, Agriculture Department, etc). We
prepared DPR consisting - Design of discharge, design of section, volume of earthwork, construction of
service road and slope stabilisation techniques. As the project is going to be executed on site, due to
economic constraints and Govt. Rules, it is not possible to use external material (like cement, stones)
for the restoration purpose. Also the Odha is to be designed for annual peak discharge computed by
using rational formula (unlike bridges which are designed for peak discharge of 100 years return
period), hence it is possible that sometimes it will get overflow. The overall design of the Odha is as
per different Government circulars and directions of Government agencies. Different maps (like soil
maps) are referred during design to eliminate the need of material testing.

1.4 Socio-Economic Condition of Project Area

Most of the residents in the vicinity of the odha are farmers. The main crops in that area are
sugarcane, turmeric, grapes. The economy is agricultural based economy as most of the people
are doing farming or allied works.

2. Methodology
2.1 Concept
Firstly, by considering the downstream end of the Odha as a weir, watershed area for the
stream is demarcated and the peak discharge coming into the stream is calculated. This is because
surface runoff accumulates within the stream. The calculated peak discharge is used to design section
considering the stream as canal as the surface runoff carried by stream is similar to that of canal. (ref
-Castilloa, D., Kaplana, D., & Mossab, J. (2016), sr.-2 )

Methodology Flow Chart

FIELD VISIT AND RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY

DELINEATING THE WATERSHED USING QGIS GEO-REFERENCING OF MIRAJ ODHA AND

ENCROACHMENT ANALYSIS

PEAK DISCHARGE CALCULATION USING EMPIRICAL MAIN SURVEY USING TOTAL STATION
METHODS

DESIGN OF CHANNEL SECTION FOR CALCULATED SURVEY DATA ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING IN MS
DISCHARGE Excel

CUT AND FILL VOLUME CALCULATION USING

AUTODESK CIVIL 3D

Fig.1 Methodology Flow Chart.

2.2 Reconnaissance Survey and Field Visit
In the primary filed visits, the total stretch to be rejuvenated was observed. The information related
to annual flood level, its frequency etc. was collected from residing farmers by oral survey at different
locations. Further methodology was decided according to this reconnaissance survey.
2.3 Watershed Delineation using QSWAT
The watershed / catchment of the odha was marked by GIS using QSWAT (QuantumGIS- Soil and
Water Assessment Tool), including all the mini-watersheds contained in it.( ref-Abhishek, P.,
Singh, D. G., Regulwar, (2015),sr.-1). For this process DEM (Digital Elevation Model) of the
Maharashtra Region was given as input. The output of QSWAT was required for estimation of
discharge.9

Fig.2 Main watershed including mini-watersheds.

2.4 Estimation of Discharge

Design flow was estimated using rational method, an empirical method which considers the
following basic formula: Q= C*I*A. As stream flows through agricultural, clayey and flat area, the
applicable runoff coefficient is 0.5. Rainfall intensity was calculated using the formula as given below:
(ref- National Seminar on Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering Practices in India, 1979(Volume
1), sr. -3)

I = 25.4*a/ (tc+b)

a and b are constants where: a=40, b=20 for T (Rainfall duration)>20min, a=30; b=10 for T =
5-20 min

tc =time of concentration, calculated using Kirpich-Ramser formula:

tc =K*L0.770*S0.385

K = a units conversion coefficient, in which K = 0.0078 for traditional units and K=0.0195 for
SI units

L = the channel flow length, in feet or meters as dictated by K

S = the dimensionless main-channel slope.

 Statistical and deterministic methods require the data related to rainfall of past 30-40
years. If there is an absence of rain gauge station in the vicinity of stream and dearth of data
then it limits the use of above two methods. Empirical methods involve the formulae given by
various researchers such as Dickens formula for various parts of India, Inglis formula for
Western Ghat area, Ryves formula for southern part of India, etc. But these methods
overestimate the design flow which entails the use of rational method. Thus we have used
rational method for estimating the design flow and results are shown using various methods
in the following table.

Table 1 Different Values of Discharge

Dickens Formula Inglis Rational

Formula Method

474.48 m3/s 864.17 m3/s 91.27 m3/s

2.5 Design of Cross Section

Design of channel section was done after considering the site restrictions related to side slopes,
minimum and maximum velocities, type of bed material and width available. Mannings equation was
used to calculate flow velocity (V= (1/n) R(2/3) S(1/2)) (ref- Chaw, V. T., (1959), sr.-4) and then
flow rate (Q= A*V) was calculated.

Though the width was varying, a constant minimum width of 20m, that can safely carry the design
discharge, was taken into consideration. The remaining land of stream was utilized for construction of
service road, landscaping etc. For the purpose of efficient passage of flood, different values of
longitudinal slopes for different chainages, due to constraints in construction, were provided. According
to the circular of Maharashtra Water Resource Department, a constant side slope angle with respect to
horizontal was taken as 30 degree. As it is a natural, irregular stream and its top width exceeded 100
ft in flood time, the applicable Mannings coefficient is 0.035.At the end, check was given to discharge
and it is safe to carry the estimated discharge.

Miraj Odha is divided into two sections namely section 1 (U/S of Pandharpur Bridge) and section 2
(D/S of Pandharpur Bridge).

The slope (S) is decided on the basis of reduced level of bottom of piers. Slope at bottom of
pier is such that the excavation depth is not exceeding the foundation level of the bridges.
Bottom width (b) assumed is 20 meter depending on map given by The Miraj Senior State
Municipal Map
Water level (y) assumed is 2.2 meter.
Roughness coefficient is 0.035 according to the table.

Table 3 Design of Channel Section

Stretch 1/n b(m) m y(m) A(m2) P(m) R R(2/3) S S(1/2) V(m/s) Q(m3/s)

Section 1:
28.571 20 1.73 2.2 52.38 28.80 1.8189 1.490 0.0021 0.0458 1.9509 102.195
( 0-620)

Section 2:
28.571 20 1.73 2.2 52.38 28.80 1.8189 1.490 0.0058 0.0762 3.2422 169.838
(1080-1300)
 Fig. 3 Designed Cross Section.

2.6 Geo Referencing and Encroachment Analysis

Geo-referencing is a process of aligning geographic data to a known coordinate system so it
can be viewed, queried, and analyzed with other geographic data. By this process, the satellite
imagary downloaded from the TerraIncognita software was superimposed on the Municipal Land
Boundary Map.

This process was carried out using the QGIS software tool. This process was necessary for
demarcation of boundary allocated to the odha.

Fig. 4 Georeferencing .

Observations from superimposed maps showed that the original boundary of stream was not
distinctly visible for most of the stretch on ground. Also the stream was not perennial, thus, the
adjacent farmers tried to utilize the land allocated to stream for agricultural purposes which
ultimately leaded to a narrowed course of stream. According to the principle of sustainability, that
activity was not beneficial for the farmers as well as for the nature. The reduced width of stream
 resulted into reduced cross section and as discharge was same, velocity of the flow was exceeded.
The increased velocity resulted in the soil erosion of banks and bed of the stream. Additionally,
during the flood, adjacent land and farms were submerged due to narrowed width, leading to the
problem of water logging and leaching.

Fig.5 Upstream (Left) & Downstream (Right) Encroachment Showing Images.

At some places, a severe problem was observed that the course of the stream was shifted by 50m
to 60m. This was due to the artificial encroachment for some commercial land reclamation purposes,
thus, the stream changed its original path through the agricultural lands of the farmer.

Any stream which is tributary of the river acts as a buffer zone in the time of flood. During flood,
the additional water coming from the river flows towards upstream of the stream creating a buffer zone
in that area. When flood passes to downstream of river, stream again passes that stored water towards
river which reduces flood hazards and hence it is very much beneficial as a natural flood mitigation
system. It emphasizes that encroachment limits the use of stream as buffer zone. Hence, encroachment
analysis and its removal is required for stream restoration purposes.

2.7 Topographical Survey using Total Station

After demarcation of boundary, the whole stretch of the odha needed to be surveyed in order
to model the topography in detail. In that survey, Northing, Easting and, Reduced Levels of
different points were recorded. Various difficulties were faced while surveying like growth of
Acacia (Babhul) plants in the vessel of stream making some areas inaccessible, undulating
sediment profile and development of marshy land due to the presence of stagnant water, varying
width of the stream ranging from 20m in the middle of the stretch to 47m on the upstream side
of Pandharpur Bridge making it difficult to mark center line along the stream, farmers
encroachments and dykes in the area of the stream was making the entire approach cumbersome,
farmers interruption while surveying in encroached part of the stream consumed some time to
deal with the same.

Many of the above stated problems were appropriately dealt with using Total Station because
of its unique features like it can help survey dark and/or wet surfaces at long range; it can also
give tentative idea of the readings of the inaccessible areas and it doesnt require the use of center
line details. As it was not possible to take readings at marshy lands and other similar inaccessible
locations, the readings were taken at nearest accessible location, in order to model the
topography as realistic as possible. In this way, for the restoration purpose, all the problems were
tackled in an intelligent way.
 2.8 Survey Data Processing in AutoCAD Civil 3D
The survey data collected by Total Station was input to AutoCAD Civil 3D software. Using this
software, the cut and fill volume was obtained which gave an idea of amount of sediment to be
dredged and also helped in estimating the cost of entire excavation operation. While traditional
technique can take 3-4 weeks and may involve systematic and manual errors, the contemporary
technique of using AUTODESK CIVIL 3D is pragmatic and hardly takes 10-15 minutes to get cut and
fill volume table, provided the survey data points are ready in desired format. Thus, as compared
to the conventional, so called paper-pencil technique, this software is accurate, easy to use and
saves lot of time and money.

Fig.6 -Plan and Longitudinal Profile Section Developed by software.

2.9 Estimation of the Cost

The total amount of sediments to be dredged as well as quantity of sediments required for road
construction was calculated by this software, by inputting the survey data as well as the cross section
design of the odha.

The estimate of the project was done after the required quantities were found out, by conventional
methods. And hence, cost per unit length for the project was also calculated.

Table 4 Measurement Sheet

MEASUREMENT SHEET
Name of Work: Restoration of Natural Stream : Miraj Odha

Sr.No Description Quantity Unit

L B D

Clearing the site before and after

construction including removing
1 73835.24 Sq.m
and stacking boulders etc.as
directed
 Excavation of soil, soft murum, hard
man, kankar, pebbles (including
boulders of size less than 0.1cum)
2 exceding 1.5 m. in width including 115944.76 Cum
depositing the material as directed
with lead upto 15 m and lift upto 1.5
m. including dressing.

Transportation for earth,

3 murum/sand by truck/tipper for 115944.76 Cum
1.5km

4 Consolidation of road and

bankwork with powerrollers to 95%

of proctor density including wa 23,188.952 Cum
tering, lead of water upto 1 km. etc.
complete.

Table 5 Abstract Sheet.

ABSTRACT SHEET
Name of Work: Restoration of Natural Stream: Miraj Odha
Sr.N Per Rate Amount
Description Quantity
o. Unit Rs. Ps. Rs. Ps.
Clearing the site before and after
1 construction including removing and 73835.24 Sqm 1 4 103369 36
stacking boulders etc.as directed
Excavation of soil,soft murum,hard
man,kankar,pebbles (including
boulders of size less than 0.1cum)
115944.7
2 exceding 1.5 m. in width including Cum 29 45 3414573 82
6
depositing the material as directed
with lead upto 15 m and lift upto 1.5
m. including dressing.
Transportation for earth,
CCu
3 murum/sand by truck/tipper for 92755.8 45 53 4223171 93
m
1.5km
Consolidation of road and bankwork
with power rollers to 95% of proctor 23,188.95
4 density including watering,lead of Cum 20 35 471895 73
2
water upto 1 km. etc. complete.

Total Cost INR 8213010 28

0.5%contingencies 41065 05
1% insurance charge 82130 10
Grand Total 8336205 43
Say INR 8336206
3. Conclusion
The initiative has deepened the Miraj Odha by 3m in a 1.5 km stretch between Sawali Bridge and
Mali Bridge, planted bamboo on the banks, and constructed ground water recharge pits as well.

The complete study shows that with proper co-ordination between academia and society the
social problems like heavy flooding, lowering of ground water level in nearby areas, scarcity of water
for various agricultural purposes, etc. can be solved by restoration of the natural stream with the
appropriate combination of modern instruments like total station, GPS handset, etc. and software like
QGIS, QSWAT, Terra Incognita, Autodesk Civil 3D, etc. Restoration of natural streams will lead to the
amelioration of aquatic life, re-oxygenation of the streams, increase in ground water level,
beautification of the surrounding area, improved lifestyle of nearby residents, and generation of
various recreational activities in the nearby areas. With active public participation, feasibility of
successful completion of restoration increases. Furthermore, such initiatives will help to reduce the
frequency of occurrence of alarming adversities like Chennai floods, Laturs water crisis, etc. Hence,
there is a great need to encourage such activities.

4. Photos & News Articles

Fig. 5-Meeting with Govt. officers of different departments related to the work. An introductory
presentation related to the restoration project was given by Walchand College Students.
Fig.6- Condition of the odha before restoration work.

Fig. 7- The odha after site cleaning, though acacia trees are removed, the vessel is still shallowed due
to siltation.
Fig. 8 During excavation work of the vessel in order to improve its capacity.

Fig. 9- One of the News articles published in newspaper regarding the social work of restoration.
Acknowledgement

Author extends his gratitude to his colleagues who worked like a team to take their learning in institute
for social and environmental welfare, an ultimate aim of a professional. And also to the social
organisation Development Forum Sangli Miraj for giving a chance to be a part of this restoration work.
The project group comprises Final Year B.Tech(Civil) students, Vivek Chavan, Krutika Gandhi, Mangesh
Khalate, Abhisek Singh, Taslima Patwegar, Dhiraj Kulkarni, Saurabh Sarda, Prasad Deshpande with
guide as Dr. V. D. Salkar.

Declaration

We the authors, hereby declare that the content of the article is authentic, original and not
violating any copyright as per our knowledge. Some information used in the article is taken from Govt.
of India with permission of corresponding departments. All the software tools used are either freeware
or academic versions. This article has not been published or offered for publication anywhere else.

References-

1. Abhishek, P., Singh, D. G., Regulwar, (2015). Watershed Modeling Using Quantum Geographic
Information System (QGIS). International Journal of Pure and Applied Research in Engineering
and Technology, Volume 3 (8): 287-295.
2. Castilloa, D., Kaplana, D., & Mossab, J. (2016). A Synthesis of Stream Restoration Efforts in
Florida (USA) River research and Applications: March 2016.
3. National Seminar on Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering Practices in India,
1979(Volume 1). College of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai.
4. Chaw, V. T., (1959), Open Channel Hydraulics (Textbook), McGraw hill Book Co.,
New York.