Making J&K power sector self-sustainable
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 19: Union Government has constituted a committee to chalk out a blue print for making J&K power sector self-sustainable.
The revelation in this regard was made in a meeting chaired by Governor Satya Pal Malik and attended by Union Minister of State for Power R K Singh at Srinagar yesterday.
The committee is comprised of Special Secretary Ministry of Power, Joint Secretary Distribution, Commissioner/ Secretary PDD J&K and representative of Finance Department J&K.
In the meeting, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Power Development Department Hirdesh Kumar Singh informed that all the projects sanctioned under different Centrally Sponsored Schemes have been awarded to the implementing agencies and are under execution at a very fast pace.
He also projected various issues pertaining to power sector like reduction in scope of works under different Centrally Sponsored Schemes due to cost escalation, replacement of barbed wires and wooden poles, delay in award of Kiru & Rattle projects, which need consideration of Government of India for financial support.
While responding to the concerns, Union Power Minister assured that all possible financial and logistic support shall be provided to the State so as to ensure 24×7 Power For All. He also said that the financial assistance required to bridge Transmission and Distribution gap shall be thoroughly considered.
Hirdesh Kumar appraised that all the constraints at transmission and distribution level are expected to be cleared by way of capacity enhancement of transmission lines /grids, 33/11 KV lines and 33/11 KV Receiving Stations before commencement of winter next year thereby enabling the department to provide 24×7 power supply throughout the valley.
He further informed that enhancement in transmission capacity at 220 KV level by way of commissioning of 320 MW 220 kV/132 kV Alusteng Grid Station and 160 MVA Capacity Augmentation of 220/132 kV Delina Grid will allow department to meet the power demand of around 1800 MW and to provide 24×7 power supply to all the towns of the valley and 18-20 hours power supply to all the rural areas.
“Capacity additions works undertaken at different voltage levels in Jammu region shall be completed before the onset of winter so as to ensure smooth power supply in Jammu region”, he said
The Union Power Minister asked the State Government to explore more projects in the State to harness the identified power generation potential of the order of 16,000 MW on the lines of Bhutan and Nepal, which will make J&K power surplus thereby improving the per capita income of the State.
A discussion was also held regarding the DPR submitted by JKPDD for replacement of barbed wires and wooden poles which are in use in the distribution system for last mile connectivity. The Union Minister assured availability of funds for the same.
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