KL Report
SRINAGAR
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday inaugurated three Power Receiving Stations at Dandipora, Marhama in Islamabad and Khallen in Pulwama Districts. These are a part of the programme launched in the State to upgrade power distribution and supply system.
Omar Abdullah while interacting with the people at these places told them about the blue print of his “comprehensive policy” of revolutionizing State’s power generation and distribution scenario. He said, “All efforts have been made to make Jammu and Kashmir self-sufficient in power production and strengthen the HT/LT system.”
“We have focused power sector to achieve twin objectives of ensuring 24×7 supply to consumers in the State and export the surplus generation to get remunerative income for economic welfare”, he added and said that financial independence of the State largely depends on power sector development.
The Chief Minister said that as against 750 MW power projects launched in the State from 1947 to 2008 including Baglihar HEP initiated by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, his government started power projects of over 1500 MWs capacity in just five years and laid necessary edifice for generating 9000 MWs in next six to seven years. Over 20 major Grid and Receiving Stations have been completed besides construction of hundreds of Sub-Stations and installation of 18000 kilometre long transmission lines. He said two Data Centres have been commissioned at Srinagar and Jammu to benefit consumers. He said 30 towns have been brought under R-APDRP.
Omar said that per capita consumption of electricity has gone up from 742 units in 2007-08 to 946 units in 2013-14 which showed an increase of 27 percent. He said energy deficit has also declined from 37.71 percent in 2007-08 to 29 percent. He said energy supply has increased from 8744 million units in 2007-08 to 12714 million units in 2013-14 which accounts for 45 percent increase in five years.
Dandipora Receiving Station has been constructed at a cost of over Rs. 194 lakhs while Marhama Receiving Station involved Rs. 207 lakhs and that of Khellan Receiving Station Rs. 205 lakhs. In all the three Stations will benefit the population of about 10500 souls in over 50 villages.