J&K’s hydropower progress tied to community development: Chief Secretary

Srinagar, July 4: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review and strategise the accelerated development of hydropower projects across various river basins in the Union Territory. The meeting reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to harnessing the region’s immense hydroelectric potential as a key pillar of sustainable economic growth.As per an official statement issued here, the meeting was attended by senior officials including the Principal Secretaries of the Power Development Department (PDD), Finance, and Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R), as well as the Director General, Budget. Concerned Deputy Commissioners also joined the meeting via video conferencing.Chief Secretary Dulloo stated that hydropower is the economic mainstay of the Union Territory, and all stakeholders must work in coordination to enhance generation capacity and complete all ongoing projects within set timelines. He emphasised hydropower’s critical role in ensuring energy security, driving industrial expansion, and creating employment within the UT. A significant part of the discussion focused on rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) plans for communities impacted by hydropower projects. The Chief Secretary stressed that these plans should incorporate market-driven skill development for local youth, enabling them to benefit directly from upcoming opportunities. He also urged prioritisation of Local Area Development (LAD) works based on community inputs, ensuring visible and tangible improvements for those living near project sites.The Principal Secretary, PDD, Rajesh Prasad, presented a detailed status report, revealing that J&K has an estimated hydropower potential of 18,000 MW, of which approximately 15,000 MW has been identified, and 3,540.15 MW has been harnessed so far — 1,197.4 MW from the UT sector, 2,250 MW from the central sector (NHPC Ltd), and 92.75 MW from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). J&K is currently advancing 15 hydropower projects totalling 7,768 MW at various stages of implementation. Of this, 3,063.5 MW worth of projects are under construction — 49.5 MW in the UT sector and 3,014 MW under joint ventures. Another 641 MW (141 MW UT and 500 MW Central) are at the tendering or award stage, while 4,063.5 MW are under appraisal or DPR finalisation.As per the statement, tendered projects include New Ganderbal (93 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW). Upcoming major projects in the pipeline include Sawalkote (1,856 MW), Kirthai-II (930 MW), Dulhasti-II (260 MW), Uri-I Stage-II (240 MW), Kirthai-I (390 MW), Bursar Storage (800 MW), and Ujh Multipurpose (89.5 MW). The meeting was also informed that JKSPDC is diversifying into solar energy, including a 10 MW agro-solar power project at Pampore (5 MW under development), and floating solar DPRs for Lower Jehlum (4.2 MW) and Baglihar reservoir (2.1 MW). Chief Secretary Dulloo assured full administrative support to resolve bottlenecks, expedite statutory clearances, and ensure timely execution. He reiterated the government’s commitment to making Jammu and Kashmir a power-surplus region, with inclusive growth and empowerment at its core