Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Jan 23 (KINS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday called for timely execution of hydropower projects to realize Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a power-surplus state.
Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC) at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, he according to news agency KINS urged stakeholders to proactively address challenges and expedite ongoing projects in the public interest.
The Chief Minister highlighted that no additional power generation units had been added to J&K’s power sector in the past decade. “We are picking up from where we left off in 2014, with the mission of making Jammu and Kashmir a power-surplus region,” he said, stressing the importance of fast-tracking hydropower projects.
The meeting focused on resolving key issues such as funding delays, maintenance challenges, water usage charges, and late payment surcharges, which have hindered progress in the power sector. Omar Abdullah outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the next five years, which includes significant capacity additions to meet the region’s growing energy demands, reduce reliance on imported power, and enhance energy self-sufficiency.
The projects reviewed during the meeting include the New Ganderbal Hydroelectric Project (93 MW) on the Sind River, the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project (1,000 MW) under the Chenab River cascade, and the Ratle Hydroelectric Project (850 MW), which has been revived through a joint venture between NHPC and JKSPDC. The Chief Minister called for expediting these projects to ensure their timely completion and operationalization.
“These projects are vital for harnessing J&K’s hydropower potential and securing a sustainable energy future for the region. Their timely execution will be a game-changer for the state’s economy and public utility,” Omar Abdullah said. (KINS)
CM Omar Abdullah calls for timely completion of hydropower projects to make J&K power-surplus
