KLNEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The on-going unrest with consistent curfew and protests is feared to have delayed the commissioning of 330 Megawatt Kishan Ganga Hydro Electric Power Project. Expected to get ready by November 2016, it will take almost 18 months more.
The project coming up at the cost of Rs 5783.17 crores (revised) in Mantrigam (Bandipora) was originally scheduled to complete by November 2016 however, the longest unrest that has already completed four months, has impacted constructions. Even the work on Dam Site in Gurez was suspended for over 20 days when affected villagers suspended work demanding proper rehabilitation and benefits.
Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) is executing the project for the NHPC, India’s hydropower giant.
In August on the occasion of NHPC’s foundation day, its Chairman and Managing Director KM Singh though expressed hope of completing the project by the year-end but at the same time admitted that the movement of the workers and material transportation has become very difficult due to law and order problem.
Power House, Switch Yard, Tail Race Tunnel and Dam spot are the main project operation sites that were badly affected by the on-going unrest. The work on all the sites stands suspended from last 3 and half months. One contractor has even stopped salary to its most of the workers and employees.
“We were unable to install turbines, transport material even most of over workers were unable to attend the operation sites,” an officer said. He said that the one-month suspension of work on project means six months delay”
After killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani on 8 July until mid-September the traffic on the road leading to project site-Pazalpora, Mantrigam, Sonawrani-traffic remains suspended only a few vehicles were playing during night hours.
However, work on Dam Site in Gurez was running smoothly that too was disrupted when affected villager’s stage protest and suspend work for over 20 days in August. During the heavy snow and chilly winter season- January to March – the work remains suspended on the Dam site for over three to four months in the year.
The electro-magnetic contractor has installed two turbines (110 MW each) but are unable to install the third one for which material couldn’t be transported, while the work on Switched Yard is yet to start, sources said.
