New Delhi: Union energy and new and renewable power minister Raj Kumar Singh is on a go to to Jammu and Kashmir (J&Ok) to assist expedite institution of strategic hydropower tasks within the union territory put up its reorganization.
“Shri R. Ok. Singh, Union Minister of Energy, New & Renewable Power, visited Dam website of 330 MW NHPC Kishanganga energy station at Gurez in Bandipora District of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir in the present day,” union energy ministry mentioned in a press release on Friday.
Other than elevating objections on the 330MW challenge on the river Kishanganga, a tributary of Jhelum, Pakistan had additionally raised objections on 48 MW Decrease Kalnai hydroelectric challenge on Chenab river.
In line with the Indus Waters Treaty, whoever builds the challenge first may have the primary rights on the river waters. India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 after 9 years of negotiations, with the World Financial institution being a signatory. The treaty units out a mechanism for cooperation and knowledge change between the 2 international locations relating to their use of rivers.
“Throughout his go to, the Minister inspected numerous elements of Dam and Spillway. He additionally inspected development work of dam toe powerhouse (0.8 X 3 = 2.4 MW) and was briefed concerning the progress of works,” the assertion mentioned.
Mint earlier reported about India seeking to velocity up state-run NHPC Ltd’s hydropower tasks in Jammu and Kashmir following reorganization of the state.
Singh additionally visited the dam advanced of Dulhasti energy station on Thursday.
With an eye fixed on Pakistan, the union funds introduced earlier this yr elevated the budgetary allocation of strategically essential 1,000 megawatts (MW) Pakul Dul hydropower challenge on Marusudar river, a tributary of Chenab by 61.25% to ₹602.53 crore for the present monetary yr. The challenge would be the first storage hydropower challenge in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Cupboard additionally authorised a Rs5281.94 crore funding for 850 MW Ratle hydropower challenge, additionally on Chenab river. Chenab river flows from India into Pakistan. The duty is seen as strategically very important within the context of China growing the controversial China-Pakistan Financial Hall (CPEC) within the area. The management on river water movement additionally acts as a force-multiplier throughout instances of aggression. The elevated help is a part of India’s plans to completely make the most of its share of water below the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.
NHPC is the most important investor in Jammu and Kashmir and has invested round Rs20,778 crore there previously 4 many years. It is usually the primary provider of electrical energy to J&Ok and plans to develop tasks totaling 3,814 MW by itself and thru joint ventures within the union territory. The union territory of J&Ok leads discom losses within the nation, with its mixture technical and industrial (AT&C) losses pegged at 60.46% in 2019-20
Supply: Live Mint