SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has sanctioned Rs 14.74 crore for electrification of 29 habitations covering 1,936 households in Kupwara constituency, with the works targeted for completion by October 2027, according to the Power Development Department.
The projects are being implemented under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), with Letters of Award issued for 10 blocks in Kupwara district. The identified areas include Moori, Manigah, Kumkadi, Tangdar, Redi Chowkibal, Wavoora, Machil, Keran, Hayhama, Kalaroos, Teetwal, Sogam and Qadirabad.
According to the department, surveys of all the identified habitations have been completed along with the preparation of drawings and final Bills of Quantities. Procurement of materials required for execution is currently in progress.
Construction work has begun in 10 habitations spread across five blocks, with around Rs 86 lakh spent so far, the government said in response to a starred question raised by Kupwara MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz.
It said a comprehensive action plan had been drawn up on the basis of the sanctioned Detailed Project Report to provide electricity to the remaining un-electrified households in the constituency. The projects have been prioritised and are being monitored, with the progress document setting October 2027 as the completion deadline.
Apart from the RDSS projects, 14 works have been identified for 2026-27 to strengthen HT and LT networks, augment transformers and improve related power infrastructure across Kupwara constituency. These works have been sanctioned under various funding heads, including UT Capex, District Capex and SASCI, with a combined approved cost of Rs 169.55 lakh.
The listed works include renovation and modernisation of distribution substations in the constituency at an approved cost of Rs 8.50 lakh, augmentation of the 11 KV Manigah feeder for Rs 7.14 lakh and electrification of Gram Panchayats under BharatNet Phase-3 at a cost of Rs 16.50 lakh.
The department has also sanctioned Rs 15.45 lakh for creation of a 63 KVA substation and HT/LT network at Check Drugmulla New Colony under SSY grants. Six 63 KVA substations in Hayhama block have an approved allocation of Rs 18.78 lakh, while Rs 14.93 lakh has been approved for four 63 KVA substations in Kalaroos block.
Three SASCI projects involving construction and upgradation of substations and HT/LT networks have each been approved at Rs 18.75 lakh.
Several other works remain at the tendering stage. These include installation of a 100 KVA transformer at G&B Hostel Kalaroos, repairs and maintenance of the LT ABC system in Kupwara town, replacement of worn-out conductors and damaged poles, improvement of the HT/LT network and augmentation of substations to address critically overloaded distribution transformers.
The department said Rs 3.68 crore had been released for works in Kupwara district during the 2026-27 financial year and no funds had lapsed. At the time of the government’s reply, expenditure against the released amount was shown as nil, with the works under progress and the first tranche bill under process.
A separate departmental annexure identified 102 villages in Kupwara with 1,432 un-electrified households. Ten villages covering 646 households are reflected through the Project Wing, while eight villages covering 376 households have been included under RDSS.
Seven villages, accounting for 410 households, were still not covered by any scheme, the department said. A Detailed Project Report for these seven villages had been submitted with a proposed cost of Rs 217.92 lakh.
The government also said three habitations in Black Sogam had been excluded from the RDSS programme as their electrification had already been completed by NTPC, the Project Implementing Agency, under the ROSS Package for Kupwara.
The departmental annexures, however, contain different household totals. While the main reply puts the number of households covered by the RDSS works at 1,936, the habitation-wise progress statement gives a total of 1,796 households. Both figures are reproduced from the government document.
