Reviewing J&K’s hydro projects; Sawalkote awaits final forest clearance: Centre

New Delhi, Dec 3: The Union Government said it is reviewing all major hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including the 1,856 MW Sawalkote project on the Chenab basin, which is currently awaiting its final Stage-II forest clearance.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal tabled the details in response to a question by MP Sat Paul Sharma.
According to the Ministry, Jammu and Kashmir presently has 3,360 MW of installed hydroelectric capacity, while 3,052 MW is under execution and another 2,449 MW is at the planning stage.
The Sawalkote project falls in the category where most statutory clearances are completed except the Stage-II forest approval, the Minister said. Administrative approval is also pending. The project was transferred to NHPC under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer agreement with the J&K State Power Development Corporation in 2021.
The Ministry said project monitoring has been intensified and progress is being reviewed through high-level meetings involving the Power Ministry, Central Electricity Authority, NHPC and the J&K administration. The online monitoring platform eSamikSha is also being used to track implementation concerns.
The Centre acknowledged that four major projects — Ratle, Pakaldul, Kiru and Kwar — with a combined capacity of 3,014 MW, have faced recurring delays.
The issues cited include tunnel flooding and restricted blasting in Ratle, litigation and slope failure at Pakaldul, and labour and access-related disruptions affecting Kiru and Kwar.
Project-specific intervention and monitoring are underway, the Ministry said.
On employment and community benefits, the Centre stated that hydropower projects operated by Central Public Sector Enterprises are required to offer jobs to local residents on contractual and service-based roles, and to prioritise Project Affected Families during both construction and operational phases.
CPSEs are also mandated to support education, health, skilling and local infrastructure around project sites.
The Ministry added that commissioned hydropower stations contribute free power to Jammu and Kashmir and generate revenue through the Local Area Development Fund. (KNO)