Chief Secy aligns hydropower development with community empowerment

Srinagar, Jul 4: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Friday chaired a meeting to review and strategize the accelerated development of hydropower projects across various rivers in Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting underscored the administration’s unwavering commitment to harnessing the region’s immense hydroelectric potential as a cornerstone of sustainable growth and prosperity here.
The pivotal meeting saw the participation of key officials, including the Principal Secretary, Power Development Department (PDD); Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R); Principal Secretary, Finance; and the Director General, Budget among others.
Concerned Deputy Commissioners joined the meeting via video conferencing.
During this review meeting the Chief Secretary unequivocally remarked that the Hydropower is the mainstay of the economy of our UT therefore our collective endeavour shall be to enhance the generation capacity by completing all the projects under the set timeline.
He highlighted the critical role of hydropower in ensuring energy security, driving industrial growth, and creating employment opportunities within J&K. He stressed the imperative of adhering to deadlines strictly to bring these vital projects to fruition expeditiously.
A key focus of the discussions revolved around the holistic rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) plans for communities impacted by new projects. The Chief Secretary emphasized a forward-looking approach, asserting that the R&R plans for the newly constructed projects should include the market-driven skills to be imparted to the local youth there. The aim should be to equip the local populace with relevant skills, enabling them to integrate seamlessly into the evolving economic landscape and benefit directly from the development initiatives.
Furthermore, Chief Secretary Dulloo underscored the paramount importance of addressing community needs through the Local Area Development component. He urged officials to prioritize developmental works as raised by the locals, ensuring that the benefits of these large-scale projects directly translate into tangible improvements in the lives of the people residing in the project vicinity.
The meeting highlighted the ambitious plans and ongoing efforts to harness J&K’s vast hydropower potential, which is crucial for the region’s energy security and economic growth.
In his presentation the Principal Secretary , PDD, Rajesh Prasad gave out that J&K possesses an estimated hydropower potential of approximately 18,000 MW, with around 15,000 MW already identified. Currently, 3540.15 MW has been harnessed, comprising 1197.4 MW from the UT sector, 2250 MW from the Central sector (NHPC Ltd.), and 92.75 MW from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
He further explained that the UT has embarked on an ambitious path to expeditiously develop the remaining hydropower potential informing that 15 projects, aggregating a massive 7768 MW, are at various stages of implementation. This includes 3063.5 MW worth of projects under construction with 49.5 MW in the UT sector and 3014 MW in the Joint Venture.
The projects that had been tendered out or are at award stage cumulatively makes 641 MW, including 141 MW in the UT sector and 500 MW in the Central sector, the meeting was apprised. Additionally the projects at advanced stage of investigation/appraisal/DPR stage and ready to be tendered out includes 4063.5 MW, comprising 390 MW in the UT sector, 2743.5 MW in the Central sector (NHPC), and 930 MW in the JV sector.
The major projects under UT sector the status of which was assessed were Parnai HEP (37.5 MW), with a physical progress of 64% (as of June 15, 2025), this project is anticipated to be commissioned by December 2027.
Karnah HEP (12 MW), was said to show a physical progress of 74.75% (as of May 30, 2025) and is expected to be commissioned by November 2025.
Similarly Pakaldul HEP (1000 MW), under JV Sector (CVPPL) was given out to have achieved 70% physical progress (as of June 30, 2025). It is anticipated to be completed by December 2026.
Regarding Kiru HEP (624 MW), taken under JV Sector (CVPPL), the meeting was apprised that it has shown 64% physical progress (as of June 30, 2025), this project is expected to be commissioned by December 2026. In the same vein Kwar HEP (540 MW), was said to had achieved the progress of 22.15% (as of June 30, 2025), therefore anticipated for commissioning by March 2028.
The mega Ratle HEP (850 MW), also taken up under JV Sector (RHPCL) has achieved significant excavation progress, including 81% for the powerhouse and transformer cavern, 100% for dam abutment, and 95% for TRT. It is anticipated to be commissioned by August 2029, the meeting was informed.
Tendered projects includes New Ganderbal (93 MW), Lower Kalnai (48 MW). The upcoming projects which are in the pipeline, includes Sawalkote (1856 MW, NHPC), Kirthai-II (930 MW, CVPPL), Dulhasti-II (260 MW, NHPC), Uri-I Stage-II (240 MW, NHPC), Kirthai-I (390 MW, JKSPDC), Bursar Storage (800 MW, NHPC), Ujh Multipurpose (89.5 MW).
It was given out that JKSPDC is also venturing into solar energy, with plans to develop a 10 MW grid-connected Agro-Solar Power Project at Pampore in phases. A 5 MW plant is in progress. DPRs are also prepared for floating solar projects at Lower Jehlum HEP (4.2 MW) and Baglihar reservoir (2.1 MW).
The Chief Secretary assured full support to expedite clearances, resolve all the bottlenecks, and ensure timely completion of these vital projects, underscoring the government’s commitment to transforming J&K into a power-surplus region.