Speed-up pending formalities to start HEP projects: Aijaz Ahmed Khan
Reasi, July 17: Patching for financial empowerment and urgency to generate employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir, J&K Apni Party (JKAP) senior leader and Former Minister Aijaz Ahmed Khan has appealed Government to take over Salal Power Project from National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) enabling the Government to provide better future job perspectives for the unemployed youth.
In a press statement, the former minister Aijaz Ahmed Khan said the Government should press to get back the right of Jammu and Kashmir on the power projects being run in the Union Territory for decades.
“Many areas amid scorching heat in Jammu region have been facing unprecedented power cuts despite having power projects in Reasi, Ramban and Chenab Valley,” said Khan.
The former minister said that Sawal Kote, Hydroelectric Power Project (HEP), Under Government of J&K having capacity of 1856MWs is being constructed at the cost of Rs 21000 crores.
Expressing concern for the delayed attitude of the concerned department, Khan said, “The case shall be submitted to the Governing Body (Board Meeting) of Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) for deciding funding and execution pattern. Unfortunately, the Board meeting date has yet to be fixed.”
He said that the Lt Governor Government should personally intervene and ensure that the Sawalkote and other lingering projects should be completed in a time bound manner in Jammu and Kashmir.
“J&K Government should provide cheap power supply to the consumers of the Union Territory where the electricity is being generated and supplied in other states,” demanded Khan.
He further said that the Sawalkote project should be started, though land acquisition has been done with certain basic activities. Still the construction on project has not been started
“If these projects are completed it will help in the upliftment of the places where they have been established.
Besides, the Ans 2nd Dharmari Distt Reasi HEP has been approved under – PMDP having capacity – 23 MW where tendering process is still under process .The Rs 357 Crores cost project’s elevations are near completion and it was learnt that the case will go in contact committee for finalization, said Khan.
He said that the slow phase of work in these prestigious projects has resulted in escalation of the project cost.
Referring to the wind energy project at Bidda Salal Block Arnas in Reasi district, the former minister said that the pending case of land transfer has been pending with the NHPC which needs early disposal so that the project can be started.
He said that the investigation of the wind energy project at Bidda Salal has been completed by the JAKEDA wing by the J&K Government. He demanded that work be expedited on these project .
