Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Jan 17: Principle Secretary Industry, Government of India, Alok Kumar convened the second committee meeting on road map recommendation for power sector development for Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, here today.
Commissioner/Secretary Power, Ladakh Rigzin Samphel, Executive Director, REC, Government of India, R Lakshmanan, Secretary Technology JKPDD Bashir Ahmad Dar, Advisor MNRE, senior officers from Central Electricity Authority (CEA), PGCIL, NHPC, SECI, Chief Engineer PDD Ladakh, concern engineers and other stakeholders from power sector attended the meeting.
The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the way forward for setting up of an organizational model and institutional mechanism for Power Development Department in UTs of Ladakh and J&K.
Different organizations including PDD, Ladakh, CEA and Power Grid gave comprehensive presentations on power scenario in both the UTs. The meeting dwelled upon various technicalities and challenges being faced due to gap between demand and availability of power. Power scope, possibilities for improvement of existing system and potentials to explore alternative means such as solar energy was discussed at length during the meeting.
The Principal Secretary asked the CEA to gauge the full requirement of power, gaps, shortages, proposed projects and plans targeted by 2026-27 being put forth from concerned authorities. To achieve 24×7 power supply to every household in Ladakh and J&K, he urged CEA to consider electrification of the critical remote pockets and implementation of sanctioned schemes with identified work that could not be executed earlier due to lack of funds. He instructed Power Grid to establish Load Dispatch Centre along with Transmission System Operator in Ladakh to ensure proper energy accounting.
Kumar urged the Power Departments to consider tariffs, costing, commercial parameters, proper metering system and to take up the sanctioned schemes in full swing for timely completion. He asked CEA to consider the power need of Ladakh and J&K specifically during winters when power generation drastically comes down and resolve the bottleneck of connecting 15 km circuit from Zinakote to Alusteng at the earliest that will address the major power related challenges of Ladakh region.
Secretary Power, Ladakh put forth the requirement of an alternate transmission line for Ladakh and deployment of manpower with new structural set up of PDD. He also raised other transmission, power supply and solar energy related issues for due consideration.
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