Centre’s Chenab hydro push gains momentum: Pakal Dul, Kiru enter final construction phase

Ratle, Kwar HEPs make steady headway

*Work begins on power evacuation infrastructure

Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, July 4: The Union Government's ambitious programme to harness the vast hydropower potential of the Chenab basin has entered a decisive phase, with the flagship 1,000 Mega Watt (MW) Pakal Dul and 624 MW Kiru Hydroelectric Projects nearing completion, construction gathering momentum at the 850 MW Ratle and 540 MW Kwar projects and work commencing on the dedicated transmission infrastructure for evacuation of electricity from the upcoming generating stations.

Together, these four Central Sector projects, being implemented in the strategically important Chenab basin, will add 3,014 MW of clean energy generation capacity, substantially strengthening the country's renewable energy portfolio while unlocking Jammu and Kashmir's immense hydropower potential.

All these projects are among the Centre's biggest infrastructure investments in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and are under regular monitoring to ensure timely completion.

According to the latest Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-building (PAIMANA) report of the Union Government, all the major hydroelectric projects under execution are maintaining steady physical progress despite difficult terrain, challenging geological conditions and complex engineering requirements.

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Among them, the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar district has emerged as one of the country's most advanced hydropower projects under construction. It has achieved 82.05 per cent physical progress, with cumulative expenditure of Rs 9313.54 crore against the revised approved cost of Rs 12,728 crore. The project is scheduled for commissioning by December 2026.

The 624 MW Kiru Hydroelectric Project has progressed even further, recording 85.5 per cent physical progress till May this year. With cumulative expenditure crossing Rs 3868.72 crore against the revised approved cost of Rs 5,409 crore, the project is also targeted for commissioning by December 2026.

The commissioning of Pakal Dul and Kiru would significantly augment electricity generation from the Chenab basin, improve grid stability and contribute substantially to India's clean energy targets.

Construction activity has simultaneously accelerated at the 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project, which has achieved 30.4 per cent physical progress. The project has incurred cumulative expenditure of Rs 1,622.10 crore and is scheduled for commissioning by November 2028.

Likewise, the 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project has registered 35.32 per cent physical progress, with cumulative expenditure reaching Rs 1,616.87 crore. The project is targeted for completion by March 2028.

The PAIMANA report indicates that major civil works, including dam construction, underground powerhouses, headrace tunnels, diversion structures and other critical components, are progressing simultaneously at Ratle and Kwar, ensuring that both projects remain broadly on schedule.

Parallel progress is also being made on the transmission infrastructure required for evacuating power from the upcoming hydroelectric stations.

The Transmission Scheme for Evacuation of Power from Rattle (850 MW) and Kiru (624 MW) Hydroelectric Projects-Part B, approved at an estimated cost of Rs 218.60 crore, has entered the execution stage. The project has already achieved 1.7 per cent physical progress and is scheduled for completion by June 2027.

The transmission system will play a critical role in integrating electricity generated by the Rattle and Kiru projects with the interstate transmission network, ensuring efficient evacuation and utilisation of the additional power once the projects become operational.

Collectively, the four Central Sector projects---Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Ratle (850 MW), Kiru (624 MW) and Kwar (540 MW) will create 3,014 MW of additional hydropower capacity, making the Chenab basin one of India's largest clusters of hydropower development.

"With Pakal Dul and Kiru now entering the final stage of construction, Ratle and Kwar recording sustained progress, and the associated transmission infrastructure also moving ahead, the Centre's long-term strategy to fully harness the hydropower potential of the Chenab basin is steadily translating into reality. Besides strengthening India's renewable energy capacity, the projects are expected to generate employment, stimulate infrastructure development in the region and reinforce Jammu and Kashmir's emergence as a major hydropower hub", said officials closely monitoring the progress of the projects.