JAMMU: Fast tracking of several hydropower projects under construction nowadays may lead to the completion of two major projects by the end of this year, barring unforeseen circumstances. These projects are the 1,000 MW Pakal-Dul project, located upstream of the Dul Hasti project, and the 624 MW Kiru power project, both in the Kishtwar district. The addition of 1,624 MW of clean hydropower is expected to be a major boost for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. On the second and final day (Monday) of his tour of various power projects on the Chenab, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was briefed on these likely timelines.
These two projects will also bring a bonanza for the UT government, as NHPC allocates 12 per cent of power free to the state/UT where each project is located. Together, the free power from these projects will be approximately 200 MW (195 MW, to be exact) and will help improve the power supply situation in J&K. The Pakal-Dul project will have four power units of 250 MW each, while Kiru will have four units of 156 MW each.
Projects Reviewed
Khattar reviewed the progress of the 1,000-MW Pakal Dul and 390-MW Dul Hasti power stations in Kishtwar on Monday, officials said. He began his two-day tour of the UT by reviewing progress on the 690-MW Salal Hydroelectric project in Reasi district and directed NHPC to expedite sediment removal operations in the Salal reservoir. Salal Power Station, located on the Chenab River in Reasi district, is undertaking sediment removal work following the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) being put on hold last year. This is being done to remove accumulated silt and maximise water utilisation for electricity generation.
En route to Kishtwar, the minister had conducted an aerial inspection of the 1,856-MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project, which will be the largest hydropower project on the Chenab. He also visited Drabshala, the site of the Ratle Hydroelectric Project, where he laid the foundation stone for dam concreting and encouraged the project team to complete the works effectively and on time. According to some estimates, this project is likely to be completed only in late 2028 or early 2029.
In a post on X in Hindi, Khattar said he inspected the Pakal Dul Power Station on the second day of his tour of Jammu and Kashmir. “During the inspection, an in-depth observation and detailed review of the power station’s operational status, safety arrangements, production capacity, and technical activities was carried out in the company of senior officials. As one of the ambitious energy infrastructure projects in the region, the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project will play an important role in the all-round development of J&K in the times to come,” the minister said.
Kiru, Kwar
Earlier in the day, officials said the minister visited and inspected the Dul Hasti Power Station near Kishtwar. Khattar, along with Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), undertook a sapling-planting drive at the Dul Hasti Bhawan premises, officials added. In a statement, the Ministry of Power said that Khattar also held a review meeting with project heads and contractors of the 624 NW Kiru and 540 MW Kwar projects, comprising four units of 135 MW each.
The minister has issued directions to commission and commence commercial production and distribution from the Pakal Dul and Kiru projects by December 2026, and from the Kwar project by March 2028, the statement said. Due to Pakistan’s stance on the Ratle hydropower station in the past few years and the Indian government’s response thereof, this project has suffered some delays. With IWT out of the way, the project work is progressing smoothly and may be completed a year after the Kwar project.
