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Kargil, May 30 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today laid the foundation of 44 MW Chhutak Hydel Power Project here.

The project is being executed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) over the Suroo River flowing through the district headquarters.

The Chief Minister, who arrived here on a day's visit, also inaugurated the 200 KW transmitter of AIR Kargil.

The power project is a major development activity going on in the mountainous district, where there is scarcity of electricity.

The Chief Minister was briefed about the project by the concerned Chief Engineer who said half of the project had been completed.

He said 2.5 km of the total 4.5 km long tunnel which is to be constructed had been completed and remaining portion would be finished by July next year.

Mr Azad said out of the five milestones of the project, three had been already achieved, while the remaining two would be achieved five to six months ahead of the schedule.

The Chief Minister appreciated the good performance of the workforce deployed at the project and said the power project would usher a new dawn of development in Kargil district.

The Chhutak hydel power project and the Nimo-Bazgo hydel power project in Leh are the only power projects work on which is going round the clock and would be completed ahead of schedule.

The Chief Minister drove through the tunnel to inspect the ongoing work.

UNI BAS SBA AS1803