Jammu, Mar 25: The Minister for Medical Education, R.S. Chib on behalf of the Minister for Power today informed the Legislative Council that all precautions and norms have been observed and undertaken while impounding of Baglihar Power Project reservoir.
 He informed the House that the reservoir rim studies of Baglihar reservoir from Dam to Pul Doda were got conducted through Geological Survey of India (GSI), who have mentioned in their studies that both banks of River Chenab comprise mostly of rocks. He said the GSI has further reported that water in the river is restricted to the narrow gorge of river Chenab, except at places where major nallahs enter the river.
 The Minister said that in view of the reports of GSI, the protection measures near banks of the river where not suggested. He, however, said the Soil Conservation Department has formulated a Baglihar Catchment Area Treatment Plan of Rs.15.96 crore to protect the uphill slope and stop the ingress of silt from the nallahs, draining the catchment, and so far the Department has spent Rs.7.57 crore on the Catchment Area Treatment Plan Project.
 The Minister said that in February 2009, a pre-existing slide at Assar got activated due to heavy and incessant rains, adding that except this slide, no more slides have occurred.
 The Minister said that operation and maintenance of Baglihar Hydro Electric Project stage-I has been handed over to NHPC due to non-availability of trained and experienced staff, capable of handling such projects, within Power Development Corporation. He said in addition to operation and maintenance of the plant by NHPC, the Corporation would also train PDC for handling the operation and maintenance of the project in future.
 The Minister said that this power project is producing 450 MWs of power, 50% of which is procured by J&K Power Development Department, whereas remaining 50% is traded through PTC for servicing and repayment of loan taken for the project.

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