Kishtwar: Union minister of state for science & technology Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar will become North India’s major “power hub”, generating around 6,000 MW of power after the completion of the ongoing power projects.
Singh made this assertion after a meeting to review the progress of various hydroelectric power projects in Kisthwar and Doda districts. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) chairman Rajiv Vishnoi, deputy commissioner Kishtwar Devansh Yadav and officials of Central and UT governments updated the minister about the progress of the projects.
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Pakal Dul is the major project, which will have installed capacity of generating 1000 MW of electricity. Its estimated cost, as of now, is ₹8,112.12 crores and expected timeline of competition is 2025. Another major project is Kiru hydroelectric project with a capacity of 624 MW. The estimated cost of the project is ₹4,285.59 crores and the timeline in this case is also 2025.
Another Project located about 43 km from Kishtwar is Kwar Hydroelectric project with a capacity of 624 MW. The estimated cost of this project is ₹4526.12 crore and the timeline of competition is 54 months. About 25 kilometers upstream of Kiru Hydroelectric project is another Hydroelectric project Kirthai II Hydroelectric project with a capacity of 930 MW.
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At the same time, 850 MW Ratle project has been revived as a joint venture between the Centre and UT of J&K. In addition, the existing Dulhasti power station has an installed capacity of 390 MW, while Dulhasti II Hydroelectric project will have a capacity of 260 MW.
“These projects shall not only augment the power supply position thereby making up for the shortage of power supply in the UT of J&K , but the huge investment being made for construction of these projects is also a boost for direct as well as indirect opportunities for the local people,” said the minister.
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About other development projects in the pipeline, the minister said that Kishtwar would soon pop up on the aviation map of India and as the Centre has sanctioned an airport under UDAAN Scheme. The district has got an Ayush Hospital. Three new national highways including Khilani-Sudhmahadev Highway, a series of degree colleges, mobile towers enroute Machail Yatra and other remote areas have also come up in the last nine years, the minister said.
