Modi supports PPP model to improve power infrastructure

He described renewable sources of energy as the answer to the country's growing power needs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today favoured Public Private Partnership model in power sector and described renewable sources of energy as the answer to the country's growing power needs.

Inaugurating the 240-Megawatt Uri-II Hydro Electric Project (HEP) located near the Line of Control in Baramulla district of Kashmir, he said renewable energy, including hydro power, is fast developing as an alternative to thermal power.

He cited the success of Bhutan in developing alternative sources of power as an example which "impressed" him during his visit to the Himalayan kingdom last month.

Modi also supported the PPP model to improve the power infrastructure of the country.

Taking a dig at the previous UPA government, he said had the issue of establishing transmission lines been taken up by it in right earnest, the situation would have been much better now.

He also announced starting of Class XI in the local Kendriya Vidyalaya from this month following the demand of locals who met him during his visit.

"The future of a country is bright if its people demand education. I am very happy to make this announcement," he said.

The Prime Minister dedicated the power project to the nation in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and top officials of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

This is the second power project on Jhelum river in Uri area and is located downstream of 480-MW Uri-I HEP, which is already operational.

The Uri-II HEP has a concrete gravity dam which is 52-metre high and 157-metre long with four spillways of nine metres each.

The 4.23-km head race tunnel carries water from the dam to the powerhouse, which has four units of 60 MW each designed to generate 1,124 million units of electricity in a year.

The work on the power project was completed in time despite a massive earthquake striking the area on October 8, 2005 - two weeks after Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) started work on it.