Kashmir possesses a long range of world’s highest mountains, deepest glaciers and densest forests. It is fortunate to receive a huge shower of natures’ mercy in the form of heavy snowfalls during winter especially at the higher altitudes of these mountains. The oil ores and gold mines dug out from earth enriching a country with costlier materials can in no way match the importance, varsity and uses of the “Hydro-Rehmut” showered by the Almighty on us from above (rather than digging out from below). The importance of these water resources encompasses in itself each and every dimension of the human life especially in the present technological scenario. Apart from the basic use of drinking and cleaning by living things it forms the backbone for agriculture, floriculture and horticulture. It comprises one of the very low cost re-useable fuels in the energy sector. The water after running heavy generating stations does not get wasted or exhausted like other fuels but can easily be used for all other purposes thereby multiplying its contributions throughout its passage of flow. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is amongst the very few states which are very rich in water resources. Due to lack of infrastructure, economical strength and many other reasons these rich sources could not be utilized efficiently to their full capacity especially in the energy/power sector. A few generating stations like UHEP, SALAL, DUL-HASTI etc. were got built through public corporate sector (mostly NHPC) but as the records reveal the concerned organizations exploited our ignorance and drained away huge precious resources with the help of all kinds of corporate manipulations and succeeded in accomplishing their monetary benefits and corporate interests. It is appreciative that  the government while responding to the public sentiment, is presently undertaking steps to peruse the terms and conditions of the MOU’s and agreements executed with these corporations and is in a serious mood to get  these generating stations back. The fulfillment of the cherished dream will definitely have a positive impact on multiple fronts.
It will improve the economy of the state. The huge bills paid on account of power by the Govt. shall get reduced as presently we are purchasing even the power that is generated in these stations (88%), located in our state using the states’ water resources.
It will help restore the confidence in the political economy of the state and may form a milestone in addressing many such crucial issues pertaining to general public sentiment on states’ resources.
It will increase the employment opportunities for local professional, trained and labour class.
It will provide an exposure to the states’ professionals, encourage the states’ establishment and attract the local entrepreneurship to pave way for establishing new stations and increase local generation thereby improve the utilization of the resources.
It will improve the power scenario of the state in general and valley in particular.
Though the Government is presently on its way to accomplish the basic step of getting back the generating stations but mere ownership rights cannot accomplish the desired results narrated above, till all the concerned departments chalk out a strategy well in advance. In this context I feel the following steps need an immediate attention.
PDD/PDC and other associated departments should well in advance train and prepare a capable team of professionals and skilled personnel required to run, operate and maintain these Hi-tech generating stations after taking over thereby not repeating the mistake at Baghliar station. Pertinent to mention that huge amounts had to be advanced/spent on operating and maintaining of this station under fresh agreements after taking it over formally for a few years owing to non-availability of skilled professionals/manpower.
Feasibility report of a transmission line/grid network ring connecting these stations especially UHEP, DUL-HASTI, SALAL and State owned BAGHLIAR need be prepared and execution work on same started at an earliest especially using a new route up to Kashmir via Poonch or Mughal route so that the hectic efforts in recovering the generating stations from the national corporations result in the overall power scenario of the Kashmir valley especially during winter which forms the prime objective of the whole exercise.
The future status of transmission line and grid network laid and owned by other national corporations especially PGCIL need to be pondered upon and settled well in advance to avoid confusion/ confrontation/ bargaining etc. at the time when we are supposed to transmit power from the taken-over generating stations. Needless to mention that these organizations are generating a huge revenue by charging the state and UHEP etc. for allowing use of their transmission lines spread over the state for transmitting electric power through their lines. It includes 2-ckt. 400kv Kishenpur-Wagoora line, 2-ckt. 400Kv Wagoora-Pampore (charged at 220kv presently), 400/220Kv Wagoora Grid Station etc. only in Kashmir valley.
The issues need to be tackled with a high level of legal accuracy and advice to avoid the expected tactics of the concerned through the medium of judiciary.
I further request the esteemed members of the engineering faculty to come forward and contribute with their valuable suggestions regarding this crucial issue pertaining to the wellbeing of each and every member of the community so that a healthy debate gets initiated in the public domain. The healthy technical inputs shall provide a robust support for the policy makers at the helm of affairs to initiate necessary steps well in advance to address the challenges of future especially post-transfer scenario viz-a-viz power supply status in the valley. This is the requisite to transform the cherished dream of having an economically developed and electricity rich state of J&K into a grand reality.   


(Feedback at manzoorwani.pdd@gmail.com)

Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST