Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 20 : In the next five years, with the implementation of various Hydroelectric Projects in Jammu & Kashmir, the Union Territory will be able to generate more than 3,000 MW additional power.
This was disclosed by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh after he was briefed about the various J&K projects by Chairman cum CMD, National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) A.K. Singh.
Dr Jitendra Singh was informed that in the next five years, with the implementation of various Hydroelectric Projects in Jammu & Kashmir, the Union Territory will be able to generate more than 3,000 MW additional power, which will adequately meet the increasing energy and electricity needs of the region. The financial investment entailed is more than Rs 20,000 crore.
The Chairman also gave the Minister an update on the Kiru Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar, the decks for which had been cleared following Dr Jitendra Singh’s personal intervention, at the level of the Union Ministry of Power.
In addition to surplus power to Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, these projects are also expected to provide direct or indirect employment to the local population and at the same time, give a boost to the development of the infrastructure in and around the project areas.
Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar had become possible with the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With an installed capacity of 1,000 MW, this project is going to be of the largest capacity in the Union Territory of J&K and is likely to be completed by 2024.
As for the Kiru Hydroelectric Project, Dr Jitendra Singh said, there were some issues related to funding, but all this has now been cleared following a series of meetings between the Union Power Ministry and the Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory government officials. This project with an installed capacity of 624 MW is also to be completed by 2024.
During the meeting, the issue of Ratle Hydroelectric Project, with an installed capacity of 850 MW also came up for discussion. The Minister was informed that the modalities for the Project’s implementation and revival were under process with the Government of India and the JKSPDC.
Another major project which is in the offing is the Kwar Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar with an installed capacity of 540 MW. The CMD informed that the Central Electricity Authority had already appraised the cost for the Project for PIB/CCEA clearance. After the final approval, the Project is to be completed within 54 months.
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