Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 7: Chenab valley would play crucial role in translating Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s ‘Power for All” initiative into reality in Jammu and Kashmir as work on three major hydroelectric projects, whose fate was hanging in balance during the past quite long time, would finally begin next year. These projects would generate 2164 Mega Watts of electricity and steer J&K from power starved status to power sufficient stage.
The Chenab valley comprising three districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban is the only belt in Jammu and Kashmir which has huge potential for generation of power. Today this potential helped the State in adding another feather to its cap as Stage-II of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project was formally commissioned by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
This valley would also play vital role in translating “Power for All” by 2021-22 initiative of the NDA Government, the announcement about which was made by the Prime Minister from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15 this year, as work on three major hydroelectric projects—1000 Mega Watt capacity Pakal Dul, 624 Mega Watt Kiru and 540 Mega Watt capacity Kwar, whose fate was hanging in balance during the past quite long time, is going to begin next year.
The Pakal Dul hydroelectric Project will come up on river Marusadar, a tributary of Chenab in district Kishtwar and with four units of 250 Mega Watts capacity each this project would annually generate 3387 Million Units of electricity. Similarly, Kiru and Kwar, run-of-river schemes would come up on river Chenab and would generate 2363.55 Million Units and 2075.37 Million Units of electricity every year.
“Though these projects were mooted prior to 2012 and even Detailed Project Reports were prepared by the NHPC yet no progress could be made because of varied reasons and this prompted the State Government to get these projects executed through another agency”, official sources said. Accordingly, Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Limited—a Joint Venture of NHPC, Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and Power Trading Corporation of India Limited was floated to execute these projects.
On June 30, 2013 these projects were formally transferred to Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Limited and thereafter fresh Detailed Project Reports were prepared and process of getting different investigations conducted was set into motion, sources said while disclosing that significant progress has been made by the Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd in carrying out mandatory exercises.
They informed that all decisions and pre-requisites have been completed in respect of Pakal Dul hydroelectric project and very shortly the decision about allotment of the project would be taken by the Board of Directors of the Chenab Valley Power Project Pvt Limited following which work would begin, which is expected next year.
About Kiru hydroelectric project, sources said that all sorts of investigations have been completed and presently the project details have been lying with Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for techno-economic appraisal, adding even pre-qualification bids have been completed and allotment of the project is expected in April-May next year.
As far as Kwar project is concerned, sources informed that investigations are at final stage of completion and work on the project would commence next year following completion of remaining formalities. “These three projects would be completed within four and half years from the date of formal allotment to the executing agencies”, sources added.
These projects would become reality well before the deadline of “Power for All” initiative of the Prime Minister and play vital role in translating this initiative into reality in Jammu and Kashmir as State’s power generation capacity would get enhanced by 2164 Mega Watts following completion of work on these projects.
In response to a question, sources said, “Kiru and Kwar would become reality prior to Pakal Dul keeping in view less number of hurdles in execution of work”, adding “for Pakal Dul project a tunnel would have to be constructed and the same may take time”.
“Since these three projects have the potential to convert Chenab valley into power house for the State, the present dispensation should take all possible steps to facilitate early start and timely completion of these projects”, sources stressed, adding “it must be ensured by the PDP-BJP Government that these projects don’t meet the fate of Ratle Hydroelectric Project, which became victim of frequent political interference and subsequent losing of interest by the executing agency”.
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