Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 29: Additional Secretary of Union Ministry of Power Davinder Choudhary convened a high level meeting of officers of NHPC, JKPDC and civil administration of the State here today to discuss execution of Hydro Electric Projects planned during 12th Plan and taken up by various agencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
Principal Secretary Power Development Department Sudanshu Panday, Managing Director JKPDC Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Secretary in Power Development Department, Secretary Technical Education, Chief Engineer PDD and Senior Officers of NHPC, JKPDC attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that the State has estimated potential of 20000 MW electricity out of which 16471 MW has been identified for harnessing during the 12th Plan. It was also given out in the meeting that 27 Hydro and Mini Power Projects should be constructed during the Plan out of which 21 projects should be under State Sector, 4 projects under Central Sector and 2 projects under private sector.
The meeting was informed that the State Government has notified the “J&K Hydroelectric Projects Development Policy -2011” for 2100 MW under which 10 projects have already been advertised.
The meeting took review of construction work of all the ongoing mega projects include Baghliar-II, Sawlakote, Kishehnganga, New Ganderbal, Kirthai and Retli and it was decided that joint inspection of all the project sites should be conducted by a team by the end of June 30 this year.
The meeting discussed in detail for laying of 220 KV transmission line from Srinagar to Leh at an estimated cost of Rs 1629 crore for which Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been prepared. In view of closure of Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway due to heavy snowfall, 8 km line should be laid underground on vital places, the meeting was told.
The meeting was informed that 2928 people are working in various power projects in Jammu and Kashmir out of which 1900 belongs to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Additional Secretary stressed upon the officers for initiating necessary measures to train the local youth in the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) of the State in various trades of electricity so that after getting training these people can be absorbed in various projects. He said that for the training of these youth Central Government will provide funds adding that this will pave way for the State Government to overcome the burning issue of unemployment also.
The meeting was informed that for this purpose NHPC has adopted 5 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) of Reasi, Ramban, Uri, Kargil and Leh while as 5 ITIs of Basohli, Kalakote, Dharmadi, Balesa and Kangan have been adopted by Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC). It was also given out in the meeting that NHPC is setting up Hydro Institute of Joint Management of NHPC and JKSPDC at Kangan for which 27 kanal of land has already been identified.
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