JK seeks transfer of Dulhasti, Uri power projects from NHPC

JAMMU, APRIL 10(KMW): Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh has demanded the transfer of NHPC owned power projects to Jammu and Kashmir besides ensuring a share in the Corporations’ profits accruing from the State’s water resources. The minister was speaking at a conference of Power, Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers of States and UTs at Guwahati in Assam.
The Dy CM said that the BJP-PDP coalition in JK has a development agenda which mostly revolves around the power sector and it is a necessity to create a hydro-power fund at national level as requisite investments for hydropower projects are generally beyond the ability of states.
He said the Centre should consider funding the development of roads leading to key hydropower projects coming up in the Chenab basin located in hilly and difficult terrain of JK with poor physical connectivity.
The Deputy CM demanded allocation of a new coal block with good reserve for generation of thermal power as well as a share in the thermal power to be produced from the Ultra Mega Power Projects announced in this year’s Union budget.
He also requested the central government to help JK to establish a State Power Training Institute in the name of Chenab Power Management and Training Institute to undertake focussed Skill Development Programme for youth to contribute in the development of power sector.
He also raised the issue of the necessity of single window clearance at the central level for timely clearance as harnessing of hydropower potential faces many difficulties which include cumbersome investigation/clearance process, inadequate availability of funds, difficult hilly terrain, and so on.
He also requested Ministry of Power, GoI to allocate share to J&K for Ultra Mega Thermal Power Stations and also asked to allocate 1000 MW of unallocated quota of thermal power for development of solar power in Ladakh region.