A much awaited but very significant decision has been taken by the State Cabinet in its recent meeting. Among other important decisions, it conveyed approval to the laying of the 332 Km long, 220 KV Transmission Line from Alasteng in Srinagar to Leh passing through Srinagar-Zojila-Drass-Kargil-Khalasti to Leh. Estimated to cost Rs 1788 crore, the expenditure will be borne by the Centre and State in the ratio of 95:5. The cabinet order says that the project will be taken up by the State Power Development Department and the Finance Department has been asked to provide funds for its operation and maintenance. Finance Department will issue necessary notification/orders for waiver of all State Taxes for construction of 220 KV Transmission Line.
This project has been hanging fire for number years in the past. Perhaps owing to paucity of funds and technical reasons as well, the project had to be deferred. It goes to the credit of the Coalition Government to have given green signal to the project. There is no second thought on the need and significance of this project that will bring regular power to the vast hilly and dry region of Ladakh. Of late, Ladakh has emerged as strategically most important part of our northern frontier where the borders of three countries namely India, China and Pakistan meet. In view of various hostile activities of these two neighbours who are in tandem as regards their policy towards India, it has become unavoidable for India to strengthen and fortify her defence of northern frontier. Pakistan’s agenda of continuing to send jihadis to India including the region of the Valley of Kashmir is covertly supported by China. This has become evident from how China for the second time scuttled India’s effort of getting Jesh-e- Mohammad chief Maulavi Azhar designated as international terrorist by the UN. We cannot afford to remain complacent after witnessing these strange moves of China-Pakistan combine. Apart from the requirements of defence perceptions, it is the duty of the State Government to meet the needs of the people in the vast area of Ladakh. At present small diesel generating units have been established which meet the requirements of Leh but that is not the permanent solution. The project was approved in January 2014 and is scheduled for commissioning in September 2017. Once completed the project will feed power to Ladakh region and interlink J&K’s existing 66 KV system.
Ladakh is a cold region. For long it has been faced with power shortage. With the installation of 220 KV transmission line, Ladakh power shortage will be overcome. The second step which the Government should take into consideration after the installation of KV line is completed is to bring small and cottage industries to Ladakh region. Owing to non-polluted air and environs of Ladakh sensitive industries like watch factory, electronics manufacturing units and computer assembling units could be established to boost the economy of the region. Ladakh has no sound economic base except that of tourism and that also for only six months of the year unless round the year transport is possible. It has small arable land producing hardly one crop in a year and that too not on an extensive level. Therefore, the Government has to plan how this deficit area’s economy can be boosted. Establishment of cottage industries would be a lucrative enterprise.
Installation of 220 kv transmission line to Leh is a very welcome decision and almost a gift to the people of Ladakh. However, it has to be said that this line has to pass through very cold and snowy region like Zoji La, Machoi, Dras and Kargil where we get heavy snowfall during winter months. There is every possibility that owing to heavy snow fall and snow storms that visit the region too often, the transmission line will be partially damaged. Therefore, the Government has to make such arrangements of repairing the damages during harsh winter as would be necessary. It is not that a damaged transmission line is to be left over till the advent of spring. The PDD has to take that exigency into consideration right with the beginning of work on the project.
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