Urges engineers to complete project in time bound manner
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Jan 4: Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar today laid the foundation stone for the dam concreting works of Rattle Hydel Project in Kishtwar and encouraged the project team to complete the works in an effective and time-bound manner.
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Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the function, Manohar Lal Khattar said that project was delayed for over two years due to certain reasons but now the work has been intensified and the 800 mw electricity generated by the Project will be utilised by the UT of J&K and other parts of the country and after its completion the power generation in the country as well as J&K will get a boost.
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The Minister said the local people should be given preference in the jobs in the project as they are first who deserve to get the work. In response to a question that Pakistan is objecting construction of power projects and has raised an objection about Dul Hasti Project, Khattar said “We work and construct the projects in the interest of nation and Pakistan has no role in it’’
On the recent reports that some OWGs were seen in the project with local leaders, the Minister said he will take cognisance of the same and he has visited here to take the stock of the situation. In response to a question that there has been a demand of NIA probe in the matter, the Union Minister said these are local issues and are to be dealt at local level.
He said he laid foundation of the dam works in the project today and earlier he visited Salal Hydroelectric Project in Reasi district besides had an aerial inspection of Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project.
Earlier, accompanied by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Ministry of Power, Government of India, Manohar Lal arrived in Jammu to review the NHPC hydroelectric projects in the Union Territory of J&K with officers of NHPC.
Bhupendra Gupta, CMD, NHPC briefed the Minister on the progress of various NHPC Hydroelectric projects located in Jammu & Kashmir. The two-day visit includes inspections of projects located in Reasi, Ramban and Kishtwar districts.
Later Manohar Lal visited NHPC’s Salal Power Project, where he was apprised of the ongoing works. He directed NHPC to expedite the sediment removal operations of the Salal reservoir. It is pertinent to mention here that the Salal Power Station, located on the Chenab river in Reasi district, is undertaking sediment removal works following the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), aimed at removing accumulated silt and maximizing optimal utilization of water resources.
During the visit to the Salal Power Station, the Minister also undertook a plantation drive within the Power Station premises, underscoring the Government’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. He also held discussions with the local administration and senior officials of various concerned departments to ensure coordinated efforts for timely execution of works.
The Union Minister also attended a Hindu Sammelan organised as part of the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the Mahadev temple in Reasi.
“The concept of Hindutva is very vast and is not restricted to offering prayers alone. Hindutva is nationalism, and anyone, even if an atheist, who loves the country and is ready to make any type of sacrifice for it, is part of Hindutva,” he said, addressing the gathering.
After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Manohar Lal said, the Hindutva wave started in the region.
“We should not oppose anyone on the basis of prayers… Sangh teaches us that the nation is before self and is working with the sole aim to strengthen the country so that nobody can cast an evil eye on our nation,” he said.
He said the tradition of service cultivated by the RSS, with the motto “Country first, self later,” has, in the past 100 years, transformed into a broad, powerful, and influential social movement.
“With a patriotic resolve, millions of volunteers are dedicated to serving the nation. Once a volunteer joins the Sangh, they remain so throughout their lives, committed to serving the nation,” he said.
Enroute to Kishtwar, Manohar Lal conducted an aerial inspection of the 1856 MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project.
Upon arrival in Kishtwar, he visited the Rattle Hydroelectric Project, where he laid foundation stone of dam concreting works.
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