Chenab is a golden river, one of the most important water potential to be utilized for power generation. Entirely from the point it enters Jammu and Kashmir Border in Kishtawar district up to Akhnoor. Steep gradient, enormous water potential and feasible conditions for construction of power schemes either in the form of run of river schemes or as potential storage sites are available in it from place to place. One power house constructed by NHPC at Salal on execution and operation basis, in Reasi district was completed in the year 1982. Our state has only 12% power share in it with some definite royalty. Here from starts the exploitation of water resources of Jammu and Kashmir by NHPC on dubious agreement basis.

1. Salal Power Scheme:
Salal Power house, commissioned during early 80s, is on main Chenab by a diversion dam generating 690 Mega Watt. We can imagine, during the period of over 30 years how much electricity must have been generated so far and how much revenue must have been deprived from Jammu and Kashmir State, whatsoever may be the construction cost of the project. This was the first major project handed over to  NHPC and it gave flip and chance to them for grabbing enormous power reserves of this magnanimous river from time to time. Though, they had only taken up the project on execution and operational basis without even the title being transferred to them. Some fishy deals have been executed in the corridors of secretariat of Jammu and Kashmir and reportedly agreement files are now missing from the concerned departments. A Perspective vision at that stage on the subject and execution by State resources or with collaboration with some other agencies would have made J&K state enormously rich and by way of generation of power. A Cabinet Decision (No 537 taken on December 15, 1980) had detailed the terms and conditions on basis of which Salal would Operate. While state was supposed to take half of the profits of the generation.
J&K was to get 47% of the Generation including Royalty and was supposed to get the project back against a payment of 10% of the project cost.

2. Dul-hasti power Project:
Subsequently, major power project handed over to NHPC was Dul-hasti project in Kishtawar, which was started for execution in the year 1986 and due to turmoil, could not be finished within the gestation period. The project however has been completed though very late, but is generating 390 mega watt of electricity, under the auspices of NHPC with a meager share of 12% towards Jammu and Kashmir State.

3. Bugliyaar Hydal Project
It has been constructed by J&K government on turnkey basis allotted to Jai Prakash Industries Limited. This project was executed by J&K government for operational purposes handed over to NHPC recently. This Operational agreement has been ceased off and project stands transferred to Jammu And Kashmir State. 450 Mega watt of Power thus generated goes to national grid to compensate for the power we had borrowed from them. Thus, the Power generated from our own water resources is sold back to us and we are paying the debt with interest.
Other power schemes on main Chenab which are under advance stage to be constructed by NHPC as well as by J&K government are underlined as below:
Bursar Hydal Power Project to generate 1000 Mega by construction.
Pukaldor Hydal Power Project to generate 1000 Mega watt by construction.
Kirthai Nawnotu Hydal Power Project to generate 1230 Mega watt ( Stage I = 240, Stage II = 990) by construction.
Rutley Hydal Power Project to generate 850 (600+250) Mega Watt by construction.
This scheme was handed over to NHPC uner Lease for 36 years in much talked way. In fact allegations and counter allegations are floating in the political circles. The 10% cost free Power to J&K State is meager enough in comparison to cost of the project and generation potential.
Apart from these power schemes, nearly to be taken for construction, we have lot of potential available on some tributaries of Chenab, upstream of Kishtawar as well as downstream f it, up to Ramban area Out of these, few schemes may be mentioned as:

1. Lower kalnai Hydal Power Scheme:
Lower Kalnai Hydal Power Scheme is proposed to be constructed by a tunnel, taking its head works from Dhunnandi area in Tehsil Gondu and power house at Tatri village in Tehsil Tatri. This project is fantastically feasible and has a perennial discharge of water. The Tatri Bhaleais road can serve as project road and all the above components of the project are easily accessible by existing roads. It will cater waters of twin riverets of Bhaleais and Kawa River. This scheme has no geological, topographical or any other engineering flaw.

2. Bichlary Multi stage Hydal Power Scheme:
Bichlary is a tributary of river Chenab which meets the main river above Ramban area. Bichlary Nalla is a combination of two nallas, one coming from Banihal area, another descending from Mahumangat belt, with their confluence above Ramsu (Nachilana) at J&K national Highway. The combined water of these nallas are proposed to be taken up at the confluence and dropped at opposite of Digdol. This scheme would also generate more than 25 Mega watt of electricity at first stage along the right bank of the Nalla. Similarly, along the left bank, second Stage of Bichlary Hydal Scheme has also been proposed.
In addition, one micro Hydal scheme on Mahumangat Nalla was proposed with its head works near Aripichla village and to be dropped above the confluence. Apart from this, Pogal Paristha Nalla was also proposed. In addition, upstream of Tatri Kognigadh Nalla and upper kalnai was also proposed to be tapped for power generation. Similarly, a power scheme at Kashtigadh Nalla has also been studied for feasibility.

Author is Rtd. Engineering Geologist.
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Lastupdate on : Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
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