Power generation and distribution is a perennial problem with our state. Each successive Government claims to be taking effective steps to overcome the problem but none has succeeded so far. This does not mean that nothing absolutely has been done to meet our power requirement. Much has been done no doubt but our requirements are meeting with increasing shortfall year after year. It makes us bewilder why despite having the water resource we are not able to develop mini hydropower stations to meet local needs and reduce great pressure on our mega power generating units in the State.
Way back in 2003 the Government conceived the plan of establishing as many as 18 mini hydropower projects in different parts of the State. The sites were identified after properly surveying the spots and the flow of water was examined and passed by the experts. This was what came to be known as Government’s hydroelectric power generating policy. Two years later 10 contemplated projects were awarded independent power producers and the scheme was to allow private produces to take up the projects. But actually after more than ten years, only five of them were completed and the rest were left half ways. One cannot say if at all the remaining five from this lot and other mini projects number 18 in all will ever be completed.
These mini hydropower stations were to be installed with private participation and contractors came forward to undertake the work. However most of them backed out half way without making any contribution. Various aspects of the policy are not investor friendly and investors can get benefits of the projects only after the lapse of 10 to 12 years, which is preventing investors from coming forward to evince interest in such projects. In particular the private investors say that imposition of Water Usage Charges under Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources Management Act is also playing spoilsport as due to these charges the cost of the projects will go up considerably and the independent power producers will not derive much benefit.
The point is that allowing the projects to private investors does not absolve the Government of providing logistic support to them in terms of moderate conditionalities and work facilities. Unless these basics are provided, we cannot expect them to deliver the goods. Most importantly the land acquisition issue is the biggest hindrance and even after a lapse of ten years some of the identified sites are not taking off owing to disputes over land acquisition. Revenue Department is unable to resolve the disputes and give clear awards. The motivation is very correct as it would generate 250 Mega Watts of electricity thereby supporting and strengthening the economy of the state, improving power supply position and also opening up avenues for employment of uneducated youth.
What should be done at this stage is that a high power committee of experts from the professional field should visit and examine the left over projects and submit a comprehensive report to the Government specifying the ailments and bottle necks that need to be removed. If the conditions for private investors are too harsh these have to be modified and made moderate. This is not to be taken as a hard commercial bargaining as that is not going to solve the problem. It is a matter related to the welfare and comfort of the people. It has to be made people friendly. It is no use to make tall claims all over the world that we have huge water resources sufficient to produce 20000 MW of power. That is mere figment of imagination. Power generation asks for investment, technical knowhow, infrastructural facilities, road connectivity and so many other things. Only when such facilities are available one can boast of having huge water resource gifted to us by nature. The taste of pudding is in eating. People will thank their destiny for providing huge water resource only when this resource is of utility to them. Therefore we suggest that these projects have to be pursued expeditiously and investment has to be made in them and make them viable and functional. We know that the Government is determined to pursue solar energy and also thermal power option. The more the options the better would be the results. But mini hydropower stations are much more assured than thermal or solar energy and we should exploit all the options simultaneously.
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