Omar inspects progress of Kishanganga power project

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for timely completion of 330 MW Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project, which would contribute to government's goal of overcoming power deficit in the state.
"Omar inspected the status of works of Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project at the dam site in Gurez in northern Bandipora district yesterday and urged officials to complete work on time," an official spokesman said today.
The project, at a cost of Rs 3642 crore and being constructed on turnkey basis, is part of a run-of-the-river hydroelectric scheme that is designed to divert water from Kishanganga river to a power plant in Jhelum river basin.

Located five kms north of Bandipora, construction on the project began in 2009 and is expected to be complete in 2016.
Construction on the dam was halted by the Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration in October 2011 due to Pakistan's protest of its effect on the flow of the Kishanganga river (called Neelum river in Pakistan).
In February this year, the Hague ruled that India could divert a minimum amount of water for power generation.

An expenditure of Rs 2809.64 crores has been incurred on the project, he said.
Omar, while speaking on re-settlement and rehabilitation plan for the affected population in Badwan, Khopri, Wampora and Nyle in Gurez and Chak and Kralpora in Bandipora, emphasised on ensuring speedy resettlement and befitting rehabilitation of the affected.

"A rehabilitation programme of Rs 253.75 crore has been prepared for construction of three-BHK duplex houses on one kanal land (5440 square feet), each at a cost of Rs 45 lakh for 185 affected families," the spokesman said.
An additional Rs 11 crore has been earmarked for infrastructure development in the rehabilitation colony besides Rs 46 crore for providing basic amenities like construction of 50-bedded hospital, he said.
The Chief Minister was also informed about fulfillment of Corporate Social Responsibility by the Kishanganga Project Management.