Construction of Kirthai-I likely from next year: J-K official

Construction of the 390 megawatt (MW) Kirthai-I Hydroelectricity project over the Chenab river, which flows into Pakistan, is likely to begin next year in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, a government official said today.
The process to complete the formalities has been fast- tracked and tenders for it will be floated within three to four months, District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana said.
The official said that two public hearings have been held by the environmental clearance committee this month in Padder Tehsil to clear bottlenecks.
Kirthai-I will be built at the Chandra Basin near Padder's Kirthai village.
The first hearing was held on October 14 and the second yesterday at Gulabgarh. This is a requirement before floating tenders, he said.

"I was informed by Power Development Corporation (PDC) authorities that the tenders will be floated within three to four months. This will pave way for beginning construction work of the project by next year," Rana told PTI.

The official said that in the 'run-of-the-river' project the river's water is not held back in a reservoir, but flows back into it after generating electricity.
The project envisages the construction of a 165 meter high concrete gravity dam and requires a total of 321 hectares of state, private and reserved land of which the apportionment of private land is only 48 hectares in Padder, he said.

During the hearings, people raised several demands, including reasonable compensation rate for land, employment and free electricity after the completion of the project, he said.
They have been told that the area development plan and corporate social responsibility would focus on development of Padder, and about 1,200 people would get the jobs during the execution of the project, Rana said.
He said that PDC authorities have also been asked to impart training to locals.
The district development commissioner said that the projected Rs 167.71 crore environment management plan, includes Rs 343.40 crore for the catchment area and treatment plan.
The Rs 163.90 crore has been earmarked for the muck management plan, Rs 333 crore for the compensatory afforestation scheme and Rs 113.50 crore for the local area management plan, he said.

The government has sought the cooperation of the people to complete various developmental projects in the hearings.
Rana assured that the beautification of Gulabgarh which includes parking yards and parks would be completed before the commencement of the next Machail yatra, which takes place during July-August every year.
"Besides, for pilgrimage and tourism, Gulabgarh will be developed as a base camp for the trekkers," he said.