J&K will be North’s power hub after completion of hydel projects: Jitendra Singh

PTI

Jammu, February 24

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir is all set to emerge as north India's major "power hub” after the completion of ongoing power projects with a total capacity of 6,000 MW.

Boost to local economy

At least seven major hydro power projects have come in the region since 2014... huge investment being made for the construction of these projects is also a boost for the local economy. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office visited the 120-MW Seva-II hydropower project located on Himachal-J&K border near Bani in Kathua district, a part of his Udhampur parliamentary constituency.

Reviewing the status of hydropower projects with NHPC, Director (Finance) R P Goyal and other officials, the minister said at least seven major Hydro power projects have come in the region in a short span ever since Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister in 2014.

Talking about the ongoing power projects in Kishtwar, he said the largest capacity project is Pakal Dul with a capacity of 1,000 MW which is expected to be completed by 2025 at an estimated cost of over Rs 8,000 crore.

Another major project is Kiru Hydroelectric project with a capacity of 624 MW. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 4,285.59 crore and the timeline is also 2025, he said.

The Minister said 850 MW Ratle project has been revived as a joint venture between the centre and Union Territory of J&K. In addition, the existing Dulhasti power station has an installed capacity of 390 MW, while Dulhasti II Hydroelectric project will have a capacity of 260 MW.

He said these projects shall not only augment the power supply position thereby making up for the shortage of power supply in J&K, but the huge investment being made for the construction of these projects is also a boost for the local people.

“Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar is all set to emerge north India's major power hub generating around 6,000 MW of power after the completion of the ongoing power projects," Singh said.

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