Kishtwar: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar is all set to emerge as North India’s major "power hub" generating around 6,000 MW of power after the completion of the ongoing power projects.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who was on an extensive tour of the remote and peripheral areas of the hill district of Chenab region’s Kishtwar, visited Gulabgarh in the Paddar area and far village of Massu, where he also inaugurated the new School.
Addressing media, he said that 6 to 7 major Hydro power projects have come in the region in a short span of 9 to 10 years ever since Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister.
Elaborating on this, he pointed out that the largest capacity project is Pakal Dul with a capacity of 1,000 MW.
Its estimated cost, as of now, is Rs.8,112.12 crore and expected timeline of competition is 2025.
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 in this case is also 2025, he said.
The Minister further informed that at the same time, 850 MW Ratle project has been revived as a joint venture between the Centre and J&K administration.
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.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that “these projects shall not only augment the power supply position thereby making up for the shortage of power supply in the J&K, but the huge investment being made for construction of these projects is also a boost for direct as well as indirect opportunities for the local people.”