Srinagar, June 12: On the second day of the two-day hydropower conference at SKICC here, many speakers spoke on the ill-effects of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) on Jammu and Kashmir’s energy harnessing potential and challenges faced by the state in setting up new power projects.
Executive Director J&K State Power Development Corporation, Zahoor Ahmad Chat, said JK was facing acute problem on harnessing front due to the IWT. “For every project we have to seek clearance from Pakistan and despite fulfilment of all formalities their objections never end,” Chat said.
He said the major objections raised by Pakistan are on design and height of dam gates.  “There is a recurring loss of Rs 265 crore annually in Baghliar due to IWT and the total losses are over Rs 3325 crore on Chenab basin,” Chat said.
Chat said India surrendered rivers originating from the Kashmir to Pakistan at the cost of J&K’s interests. “The eastern states are progressing at the cost of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Chat said major hydropower projects have been developed on these eastern river which has given economic and development uplift to the beneficiary states at the cost of J&K.
Deputy General Manager, PDC, Iftikhar Ahmad Kakroo gave detailed account of the water potential of Jammu and Kashmir and its history in power generation. He said the oldest power project in Asia, Mohra in North Kashmir was generating energy in 1905 till 1992 when it was hit by a flood.
He said the PDC is reviving the scheme and it would be operated as a heritage project.
He said the PDC has taken initiative to get the exact details about the hydropower potential of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said though there were different estimates made about the potential the actual hydropower capacity may be much more.
Substantiating his point Iftikhar said when work was started on Baghliar-I, it was estimated to be 450-MW project but its actual potential is 900-MW. Similarly he said in case of Sawalakote the initial estimates were 650 MW which has now been revised to 1860 MW. Iftikhar said state government has taken a major initiative to harness more than 3000 MW of energy during the 12th five year plan.
“Work has already been taken up on some major projects like Baghliar-II. The execution of other projects is at different stages of implementation and by the end of the 13th five year plan over 8000 MW of energy generation is targeted in J&K,” Iftikhar said.
In 2011 state government announced it would get the IWT losses quantified by engaging some international consultancy for it. However there has been no progress on the front though JK government had received an offer from M/S Halcrow consultancy.
“The proposal has gone to the government for approval to engagement of the consultancy,” said Managing Director PDC, Basharat Dhar.
Principal Secretary Power, Sudhanshu Pandey, Basharat Dhar and chairman Chenab Valley Power Project Private Ltd, MY Khan chaired  different session and shared their views on the topic.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST