The state government would ask New Delhi to recommend a central power generating company for setting up multipurpose Ujh power project in Jammu, at a time the government has already been mulling to clear decks for entry of another central PSU, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVNL), for exploiting state’s vast hydropower resources.
The decision was taken by the government last month after approving a revised detailed project report (DPR) for the project costing Rs 4750 crore.
“The government of India will suggest a PSU for implementation of the project and relief and rehabilitation plan for project affected families/utilities of the department…,” reads a government order.
The project would be funded by government of India in ratio of 90:10 and the state will have to provide around Rs 480 crore as its share.
The relief and rehabilitation (R&R) plan for families affected by the project would be on the lines of 390-MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Bandipora, as per the order.
The project, which is pending execution for more than two decades, would be set up on river Ujh, a tributary of river Ravi in district Kathua.
Apart from generating 196-MW hydropower, it would irrigate thousands of kanals of land in Samba and Kathua.
In 2013, the Central Water Commission (CWC) had submitted the DPR of Ujh to J&K Power Development Corporation (PDC), but it was sent back for revision.
Last December, the Commission resent the DPR to the state government for fast-tracking its execution, pursuant to decision taken in meeting of the Task Force on Indus Waters chaired by Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2016.
“This project will store around 0.65 MAF of waters to irrigate 30,000 hectares of land and produce more than 200 MW of hydropower. This will help India to utilise a part of the flow that presently goes across border unutilised,” an official document reads.
Under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) that was brokered by World Bank between India and Pakistan in 1960, India has exclusive rights over three major eastern rivers- Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – before they enter Pakistan while as Pakistan has rights over three western rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenab – that flow through J&K.
While ownership rights of Ujh would vest with J&K government, an official said it was one of 14 water resources-based projects identified and declared as a “national project” by the Union cabinet in 2006.
Last week Greater Kashmir reported that preparation was going on for setting up Joint Venture Company between PDC and SJVNL for setting up of the state-owned 1856-MW Sawlakote hydropower project. The union power ministry and J&K power department have already started deliberations about bringing SJVNL into the state, a proposal that has raised eyebrows from within PDC which has proven its “competence” to develop major hydropower projects.
The government of India’s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), another central public service undertaking (CPSU), is already operating eight projects in the J&K with a cumulative capacity of 2339-MW. A joint venture company already exists between PDC, NHPC and Power Trading Corporation, which was set up in 2011, for execution of projects on Chenab basin.