Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 29: Due to the failure of the Power Development Department to fulfill the promises made with the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti last year, the power supply to entire Doda-Kishtwar belt is dependent upon the ‘crippling’ infrastructure as neither refurbishment of the existing 132 KV transmission line has been taken up till date nor any concrete plan prepared for laying of much-needed alternative line. In such a situation both the mountainous districts are all set to face worst power crisis during the winter months when major parts of this belt witnesses heavy snowfall.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in a meeting convened by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on September 19, 2016 to review key development projects taken up in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, the need of augmenting the power sector in the erstwhile Doda district was felt and accordingly directions were issued to the Power Development Department to expedite the transmission and distribution works under various schemes and programmes.
In the meeting Chief Minister was informed that work was in progress for augmentation of Khellani Grid Station from 40 to 70 MVA at an estimated cost of Rs 6.42 crore and the same will be commissioned by October 2016 and survey for reconductoring/refurbishment of Udhampur-Kishtwar 132 KV transmission line was going on and soon after completion of this exercise work will be started to enhance the capacity from 60 to 100 MW.
However, the Power Development Department has failed to fulfill both these promises made with the Chief Minister, sources said while disclosing that augmented Khellani Grid was commissioned in the month of June this year as against the promised month of October 2016.
“Similarly, no decision has so far been taken about start of work on refurbishment of Udhampur-Kishtwar 132 KV transmission line despite the fact that survey has already been completed and even Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted to the Administrative Secretary of the Power Development Department for approval”, sources said while expressing inability to specify time-frame for start of work on reconductoring of this only transmission line providing electricity to entire Doda-Kishtwar belt.
Stating that infrastructure of existing 132 KV transmission line was crippling due to ongoing National Highway expansion work between Udhampur and Chenani, sources said, “the foundations of many towers of transmission line on this stretch have turned weak due to works being executed by National Highway Authority of India”, adding “the recent repeated power failure witnessed by Doda and Kishtwar districts was due to the damages suffered by the towers situated between Udhampur and Chenani”.
“A Detailed Project Report for repositioning of the towers in the problematic areas has already been submitted to the National Highway Authority of India but till date no decision has been taken about execution of much needed works”, sources informed while stating that repositioning of towers was imperative to avoid further damages to the line.
Despite being aware of the fact that existing 132 KV transmission line is the lifeline of Doda and Kishtwar districts, the Power Development Department has yet not come out with concrete plan for laying of alternative line although this issue was debated in numerous meetings convened during past many years, sources regretted.
They disclosed that several years back work was started on Ramban-Khellani-Kishtwar transmission line but even after huge investment in the shape of erection of towers no fruitful results could be yielded. “The towers of this line suffered damages during heavy snowfall of 2012 as a result of which entire expenditure turned out to be unfruitful”, they further said.
“Thereafter, the company which was entrusted with the task of laying this line went into litigations against the Government over certain issues and since then the fate of this line is hanging in balance even after investment of crores of rupees”, sources said, adding “nobody knows when the legal battle between Government and the company will come to an end and this much-needed line will become a reality”.
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