SRINAGAR: The Power Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday that work has not commenced on four hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, which collectively have the capacity to generate 3,119 megawatts of electricity. These projects have faced prolonged delays, mainly due to the non-availability of forest and environmental clearances from the relevant authorities.
Minister of State for Power revealed that the Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project, with a capacity of 930 megawatts and to be executed in joint venture mode by Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL), received clearance from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) on June 14, 2019. However, the required Forest Clearances I and II have not yet been secured, halting any progress.
Similarly, the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project, designed to generate 1,856 megawatts and to be executed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), was approved by the CEA on April 18, 2018. However, forest clearances remain pending for this project as well, delaying its initiation.
The 240 megawatt Uri-I Stage-II Hydroelectric Project, also to be developed by NHPC, was granted CEA concurrence on February 16, 2023. Despite this, neither environmental nor forest clearances have been obtained.
The New Ganderbal Hydropower Project, with a capacity of 93 megawatts, was cleared by the CEA as early as June 10, 2014. The project, to be executed by the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation, remains stalled due to delays in awarding contract packages.
“These four projects are among 26 hydroelectric projects across the country, with a combined installed capacity of 19,214 megawatts, that have received CEA approval but have not yet entered the construction phase,” the ministry stated in response to a question on pending power projects.
The Minister emphasised the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, which require generating companies to seek CEA concurrence for hydroelectric projects involving capital expenditure exceeding Rs 1,000 crore.
The Kirthai-II project, located in Kishtwar district, is designed as a run-of-the-river scheme on the Chenab River. It includes an underground powerhouse and a dam toe powerhouse, together expected to generate an annual energy output of 3,466.19 million units.
The Sawalkot project in Ramban district involves the construction of a 193-metre-high concrete gravity roller-compacted dam on the Chenab River. Planned as a run-of-the-river scheme, it will be developed in two stages, with the first stage generating 1,406 megawatts and the second stage adding another 450 megawatts.
The Uri-I Stage-II project, an extension of the 480 megawatt Uri-I project commissioned in 1997, will use the existing barrage structure for water off-take and will be developed on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis for 40 years.
The New Ganderbal project, designed as a run-of-the-river scheme on the Sindh Nallah, will consist of three units of 31 megawatts each.
