SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has clarified that the 1856 MW Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project will have its maximum land requirement and submergence in Ramban district, rejecting claims that Udhampur is the principal host or most affected region.
Replying to Starred Assembly Question raised by MLA Pawan Kumar Gupta, the Power Development Department stated that the project components are spread across Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi districts, with Ramban emerging as the most impacted.
According to the official reply, out of a total 1401.35 hectares of land required for the project, 1097.55 hectares fall in Ramban, 197 hectares in Udhampur and 106.8 hectares in Reasi. Similarly, of the total 1158.75 hectares of submergence area, Ramban accounts for 1030.55 hectares, followed by Reasi with 65.2 hectares and Udhampur with 63 hectares.
“From the above, it can be noticed that approximately 5.44 per cent of total submergence falls under District Udhampur, whereas Ramban accounts for 88.94 per cent, thereby making Ramban the most affected district in the Union Territory,” the government said in its reply.
The government further clarified that while key infrastructure such as the powerhouse, main tunnels and part of the dam are located in Udhampur, most of the submergence and construction facilities fall within Ramban.
Addressing concerns over lack of direct connectivity and development benefits to Udhampur, the department stated that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared on “technically feasible and commercially viable conditions” and approved by the Central Electricity Authority under the Union Ministry of Power.
On the issue of access roads, the government said the proposed route from MH Morh to Chakka in Udhampur is a single-lane road with high maintenance requirements and is not suitable for transporting heavy machinery needed for the project.
“The road suggested… will not serve the purpose for transportation of heavy machinery/equipment required for construction,” the reply stated.
The government also ruled out any immediate re-evaluation of the access plan, noting that changes at a later stage could lead to delays and cost overruns.
“The matter of selection of access road depends upon various engineering and economic considerations. Any change at a later stage may result in delay in construction and cost overrun,” the department said.
Responding to concerns about landslide-prone routes on the Ramban side, the government noted that the Jammu–Ramban highway is maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), while the Ramban–Zero Morh stretch is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and not by NHPC.
The government also highlighted that a comprehensive Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R and R) plan has been prepared to address the impact on local communities, including compensation measures and entitlements as per standard norms.
“Therefore, it would not be prudent to say that Udhampur district is deprived of commensurate development benefits,” the reply added.
The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project is being developed by NHPC and is among the major hydropower initiatives planned in the Chenab basin.
