State govt to actively pursue hydel projects transfer from

Jammu and Kashmir minister of state for power Asiea Naqash today said the government would actively pursue transfer of hydel projects from NHPC.
"As mentioned by the Finance Minister in the power budget speech in the year 2015-16, the government will actively pursue transfer of hydel projects from NHPC," she said in the Legislative assembly here.
The minister said the budget also provided funds for meeting the operation and maintenance cost ofpower projects to be taken over from NHPC.
Replying to a question by National Conference MLA Devender Singh Rana, Naqash said on March 16, 2015 Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu met the Union Power Minister formally and impressed upon the Union Government the need for transfer of power projects of Dul Hasti and Uri from NHPC to state among other important issues of power sector.

Subsequently, the issues have been raised by the deputy chief minister in various power minister's conference.
Responding to another part of the question, Naqash said Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) has been entrusted to implement Pakal Dul HEP 1000 MW, Kiru HEP 624 MW and Kawar HEP 450 MW in Kishtwar district.

She said the investment approval for Pakal Dul has been received while it is yet to comefor Kiru and Kwar HEPs.
In addition, Dul Hasti Stage-II HEP has also been entrusted to CVPP and DPR preparation work of this project shall be taken up soon, the minister said.

She said tendering is in progress for these projects and construction of major structures of the projects would be taken up thereafter.
In the Legislative council, Naqash said Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) owns, operates and maintains 23 hydro power projects varying from micro to major in capacity.
Replying to a question of Ghulam Nabi Monga, the minister said three power projects Sewa-III, Satakna and Mohra are non-operational as these require renovation, up-gradation and modernisation.
In addition to these, survey, investigation DPRs for nine of 13 small hydro projects (SHP) taken up under Prime Ministers Development Package by JAKEDA have been prepared and finalized, she said.

She said finalisation of DPRs for the remaining four is under progress adding that the JAKEDA has also awarded 35 mini hydel project sites to IPPs, having a cumulative capacity of 57.55 MWs.
In reply to another question by MLC Thakur Balbir Singh, Naqash said the implementation of Ujh Multipurpose Project in Kathua district is under process and detailed project report is presently being updated by the Central Water Commission (CWC) to incorporate the recommendations of the expert team.
The minister said for this national project, the seismic studies are being carried out by the concerned Geological wing through IIT Roorkee.

The period for construction of the project has to be revised as per the updated DPR, she added.