Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 13: Jammu and Kashmir is targetting power generation of 9,000 mw in the 7-8 years, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today while laying the foundation stone for the 48-mw Lower Kalnai Hydro Power Project in Doda district.
He also indicated setting up of a 500-mw thermal power project soon with the coal block allotted by the Centre to the state for generation.
Addressing a public meeting at Thathri in Doda district, the Chief Minister said that indigenous generation of hydro energy is the right initiative to achieve economic goals and generate substantial employment and business activities for youth particularly in far-off villages and remote areas.
“We have targeted generation of 9,000 mws of power within next 7 to 8 years and necessary edifice has already been laid to achieve this stupendous task,” he said.
He said projects for generation of 2,000 mw of hydro electricity have been cleared and are under various stages of implementation.
Omar said local generation of 9,000 mw would not only enable the State to provide 24×7 electric supply to domestic consumers and industry but its export would generate enough funds to launch wide-ranging development projects in various sectors of development.
“It would also help to generate large scale employment and give rise to various economic activities across the State.”
Omar said that power generation sector has been flagged as significantly important sector by the Coalition Government.
He added that the harnessing of this sector which was left under focused hitherto promises bright and prosperous future to the State and its people.
“Though the gestation periods of the dozens of power projects cleared by my Government under various modes are longer and will not necessarily benefit the present dispensation by way of receiving vote bank support of the people, yet the only aim of my Government is to seek sustained economic prosperity and financial autonomy of the State,” he said.
The Chief Minister said power companies have been given strict directions to employ locals in project implementation works.
He said power companies have also been roped in to be partners in 7 ITIs so that required skill development programmes are run in these institutions and befitting technicians and skilled youth are produced to get absorbed in upcoming power projects.
He said power companies have also been directed to allot feasible works to the local contractors and transport operators so that the economic benefits accrue to various categories.
The public meeting was also addressed by Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool, Legislators Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo, G M Saroori and Najeeb Suharwordhy.
The 48 mw Lower Kalnai hydro electric project is run of the river projected located on Lower Kalnai Nallah, a tributary of the Chenab river in Thathri town of District Doda, about 200 km from Jammu.
The project envisages construction of a concrete gravity dam of 49 m height across Lower Kalnai Nallah at Dunadi about 200 m downstream of the confluence of Upper Kalnai and Kangunegad Nallahs.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 576.87 crore and is scheduled to be completed in four years.
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