Srinagar, Oct 03: The Government of India (GoI) is planning to take up new hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, with discussions currently underway on the proposed Sawalkote project, Secretary, Union Ministry of Power, Pankaj Agarwal, said on Saturday.
Talking to reporters here, Agarwal said the work was already progressing on major hydropower projects in J&K, including Rattle, Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar, while the Centre was also looking at taking up additional projects in the Union Territory.
“At present, discussions are underway regarding Sawalkote. Surely, we intend to take up work on this project soon as well,” he said.
Replying to a query on new projects to end power paucity, Agarwal said the Centre was developing several projects on the Chenab in J&K through various arrangements, including the Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited, and was receiving full cooperation from the UT administration.
He said the hydropower projects being developed in J&K would not only cater to local electricity demand but also contribute towards meeting the power requirements of other parts of the country.
The Power Secretary was in Srinagar to review developments in the power sector in J&K, including projects being implemented under the Centre’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
On the rooftop solar scheme, Agarwal said J&K had achieved its first milestone of 100 MW under PM Surya Ghar and hoped that the programme would gain momentum in the Union Territory.
“Initially, it takes some time to build momentum. Once the momentum builds up, it will take off,” he said, adding that around 50 lakh people across the country had so far joined the scheme.
He said the subsidy disbursement under the scheme was portal-driven and had been streamlined, with the Central subsidy flowing directly to beneficiaries.
He added that the possibility of streamlining the UT’s top-up subsidy would also be discussed with the Chief Secretary.
