Centre sanctions Rs 6,098 crore projects to strengthen power infrastructure in J&K

Replying to an unstarred question by Sat Paul Sharma, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said Rs 5,034 crore has been approved for loss-reduction works, while Rs 1,064 crore has been allocated for smart metering initiatives.

The sanctioned projects include construction of new substations, upgradation of existing substations and distribution transformers (DTs), strengthening of High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) lines, agricultural feeder segregation and household electrification. These measures aim to improve the reliability and efficiency of power supply in the region.

To address winter power shortages, the Power Ministry has also allocated additional electricity from central generating stations. During the winter period of the current financial year (2025–26), 120 MW of unallocated power from the Patratu Thermal Power Plant Unit 1 was supplied to the UT from November 5, 2025 (its commercial operation date) to February 28, 2026.

In addition, 292.99 MW of power was allocated from NTPC’s Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Station Stage I from October 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026.

Naik noted that electricity is a concurrent subject and the responsibility for supply and distribution to consumers primarily rests with the respective state governments and distribution utilities.

As reported by Jammu and Kashmir, power cuts in the region are largely driven by transmission and distribution constraints as well as unrestricted consumption in unmetered areas.

The Centre has also supported the UT’s power sector through several earlier schemes, including the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, Integrated Power Development Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana.

Additionally, under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir approved in November 2016, projects worth Rs 2,780 crore were executed to augment distribution infrastructure in capital cities and major tourist destinations, along with the introduction of advanced technology interventions.