Addressing the issue of energy deficiency

25/05/2020

Easing of restrictions relating to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has paved the way for the start of work on 624 Mega Watts Kiru hydroelectric project in Kishtwar district from the next month. The project which is aimed at tapping huge untapped power generation potential of the Jammu and Kashmir will go a long way in addressing the energy deficiency in the Northern parts of the country besides being of immense help for this Union Territory. The contracts for civil, hydro-mechanical and electro-mechanical works of the project were awarded to three different companies by the Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Limited. However, before the companies could start mobilizing men and machinery lockdown was imposed in the entire country in order to contain COVID-19 pandemic. Now with the easing of restrictions the Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Limited has asked the companies to start work on the project from next month by immediately mobilizing men & machinery. M/s Patel Engineering Ltd has been allotted civil works of the project while as M/s PES Engineers and M/s Andritz Hydro Limited have been allotted hydro-mechanical and electro-mechanical works respectively.
The companies, which have been allotted the works, have already conducted the detailed recce of the area and they too have found the nature of job not much complex as compared to other power projects in the Jammu and Kashmir. The foundation of this project of immense importance was laid by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 3, 2019 and investment sanction was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on March 7, 2019. The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 4287.59 crore (at July, 2018 price level) which includes Interest during Construction (IDC) and Foreign Component (FC) and infusion of equity. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has already granted exemption on account of payment of levy of toll tax, State Goods and Service Tax (SGST), waiver of free power in a decremental manner and water usage charges for a period of 10 years from the date of commercial operation of the project. The project is being constructed on river Chenab near village Patharnakki in Kishtwar district and it envisages construction of 123 metre high concrete gravity dam to generate 624 MW of hydropower. It has been designed complying with the requirements of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and would generate 2272.02 MU in a 90% dependable year.

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