Explore new power projects vigorously: Mehbooba

Stressing upon the need for hydro power sector as critical to the state's economy, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today emphasised that work on the ongoing projects as well as the exploration of new ones will have to be pursued vigorously.
"The work on the ongoing (power) projects as well as the exploration of new projects will have to be pursued vigorously," she said, chairing the 72nd meeting of the Board of Directors of Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) here.
She said the decision-making with respect to allotment and execution of power projects should be time-bound to ensure that the state gets the dividends of increased power generation.

In his presentation, JKSPDC Managing Director Shah Faesal informed the Board about various ongoing projects as well as the roadmap for augmenting power generation in the state.
"The Corporation is presently looking after 23 hydropower projects with a total installed capacity of 1211.96 MWs besides four IPPs of 42.5 MWs.
"Four projects are under implementation in the state sector with a capacity of 103.5 MWs and three major projects with an expected generation capacity of 3176 MWs are in the pipeline," he said.

Commissioner Secretary, Power Development Department (PDD), Dheeraj Gupta, briefed the Board regarding various ambitious projects in state sector like 1850 MW Sawalakote HEP, 390 MW Kirthai-I and 930 MW Kirthai-II which are at an advanced stage of appraisal with Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

In a key decision taken in the meeting, the long pending contract allotment issue of the 93 MW New Ganderbal Hydropower Project will be referred to the State Cabinet, an official spokesman said.
He said the Board approved the constitution of Management and Finance Sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and Audit and Compliance Subcommittee under Chief Secretary B R Sharma for better oversight of the organizational matters pertaining to JKSPDC.
It was also decided that besides Power Finance Corporation, other traders would also be explored by PDC for selling of 60 per cent power from Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Phase-II to get a competitive tariff, the spokesman said.

Keeping in view the importance of JKSPDC for the state
economy and to keep the tariff competitive, the Board agreed to refer the matter regarding the exemption of Water Usage Charges to the Finance Department for further examination, the spokesman said.
He said the board approved the award of consultancy services for checking of design and construction supervision of 1500 M long tunnel on access road to Sawalakote and 178 M long steel bridge over river Chenab to M/S Rodic Consultants who have been selected through a two stage competitive bidding process.
A road tunnel from Power House to Baglihar Dam was approved to be executed through M/S JAL at an estimated cost of Rs 6.54 crore.

This tunnel will facilitate better access to the dam in view of the challenging geology of the region, the spokesman said.
He said the Board also ratified the equity contribution of Rs 460 crore released to Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd (CVPPL), a Joint Venture company of the JKSPDC that is executing the Pakaldul, Kiru and Kawar Power Projects with an aggregate capacity of 2164 MW.