Speed up power project construction in J-K : Prof Soz

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today urged the Power Ministry to speed up work on various power units in various stages of completion in Jammu and Kashmir for augmenting power availability in the state.

Prof Soz made his observations after witnessing a power point presentation of the power scenario in the country especially in Jammu and Kashmir where the officials of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation apprised him of the power scenario in the state.

Prof Soz, who also heads the Pradesh Congress in J-K, said power shortage not only affected the growth of economic development but the people too suffered for want of industrialisation.

The power point presentation was organised at the initiative of new Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh who has taken keen interest on fast track economic development in J-K.

The delegates were told that total assessed hydro potential of J-K was 14275 MW and the state had developed only 1864 MW accounting for only 13 per cent of the total potential. The NHPC had commissioned 690 MW Salal, 480 MW Uri-I and 390 MW Dulhasti in the state. Other projects under progress were Sewa II (120MW), Nimoo Bazgo (45MW), Chutak (44MW), and Kishenganga (330MW).Three projects that were cleared by the J- Govenment for construction were Pakal Dul (100MW), Kiru (600MW), Kawar (520MW) and Ratle (690MW).

Detailed Project Report had been prepared for 1020 MW Bursar Project and a decision has to be taken on the agency to take up the work.

Prof Soz strongly pleaded that the Kishenganga project should be put on the priority sector as it can bring a lot of relief for the people of the valley once it starts power production, a Ministry of Water release said.

UNI MCN PK GC1808