19 Siachen villages electrified

Move to help Ladakh achieve carbon-neutrality target: Officials

Leh, June 18

As many as 19 villages in Siachen have been electrified with supply from the Chamshen micro-hydel project (MHP), a development that would help Ladakh inch closer towards achieving the carbon-neutrality target, officials said on Friday.

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy funded the Chamshen project under the Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative (LREI) scheme. The electrified villages are Chamshen, Kuri, Charasa, Burma, Pinchimik, Hasara, Kyagar, Sumooor, Lakjung, Tirith, Tyaksha, Panamik, Tirisha, Hargyam, Fukpochey, Kobet, Ayee, Aranu and Sasoma. The electrification of these villages would result in the phasing out of 3 DG sets, including 160 kVA Panamik DG set, 160 kVA Chamshen DG set and 250 kVA Kyagar DG set, Secretary Power, Ravinder Kumar said.

The electrification of the villages was the result of the joint effort of the Power Development Department and Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency (LREDA), he said, adding the surplus power could be supplied to the Army in the border areas.

Meanwhile, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor’s adviser Umang Narula convened a meeting here regarding the preparation of action plans by departments for achieving carbon-neutral status for Ladakh. Addressing the meeting, Narula said the idea of a carbon-neutral Ladakh was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it aimed at planning future developmental activities to minimize carbon emissions. — PTI