NHPC investment crosses Rs 18,800 crore in J&K

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 6

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), one of the largest players in hydropower in the Central sector, has invested Rs 18,874 crore in seven operating power stations in Jammu and Kashmir with an aggregate installed capacity of 2009 MW and a 330MW project under construction.

Over the years, the NHPC has not only developed the hydropower potential in J&K but has also provided free 12 per cent power of its total generation from J&K as well as the water usage charges. On account of these, the NHPC has paid the state government about Rs 6,479 crore.

According to an NHPC official, the corporation has commissioned seven hydroelectric projects in J&K, adding 2009 MW installed capacity to the state. These projects include Salal Stage-I and Stage-II (690 MW), Uri-I (480 MW), Dulhasti (390 MW), Sewa-II (120 MW), Uri-II (240MW), Chutak (44 MW) and Nimoo-Bazgo (45 MW).

The Kishanganga (330 MW) hydroelectric project in Gurez of Bandipora district is in the advance stage of construction while the detailed project report for Bursar hydroelectric project (800MW) in Kishtwar is under preparation.

“Projects of installing capacity of 2964 MW are under various stages of clearance. They include the 1000 MW project that has received all clearances and is about to commence construction. The investments made by the NHPC have brought about a positive impact on the lives of people of J&K,” an official of the NHPC said.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation had started its operation in J&K nearly four decades ago when it was first handed over the 345-MW Salal-I Project for construction. The state receives 12 per cent free power royalty from each of the seven power stations of the NHPC operating in the state.

“During the last 23 years, the seven operational power stations of the NHPC have provided 17,659 million units of electricity equivalent to Rs 3,314 crore in value up to 2015-16,” the official said, adding that the NHPC power stations also contribute 1 per cent free power towards the Local Area Development Fund (LADF). Since 2010-11, the NHPC has contributed 68.49 million units of free power worth Rs 31.15 crore towards the LADF.

The official disclosed that the NHPC had made a payment of Rs 3,164.95 crore (up to 30.09.15) to J&K towards water usage charges.

Apart from development of hydropower, the NHPC has undertaken several developmental initiatives in the fields of healthcare, education, rural development, women and senior citizen empowerment, promotion of arts and culture, and sports under its corporate social responsibility and social democracy (CSR-SD) schemes. Since 2010-11, the NHPC had spent Rs 25.64 crore (up to 2015-16) under various CSD activities across its various locations in the state.

Under the Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan, the NHPC has constructed 477 toilets across various government schools in the vicinity of its projects in J&K, spending over Rs 684 lakh towards the initiative.

The NHPC has recruited 1,370 people from Jammu and Kashmir as regular employees in both its executive and workmen cadre across its locations in J&K, and has indirectly employed 1,195 locals through its contractors.