BoD approval pushes restoration of 124-year-old Mohra project forward

By Idrees Bukhtiyar
Comments 0
02 Apr 2026

Srinagar, Apr 01: The revival of the 124-year-old historic Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project in the Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla has moved a step forward, with the Board of Directors (BoD) of the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) approving key measures for its renovation and modernization. The information was revealed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in response to a question raised by Uri MLA Dr. Sajjad Shafi. Replying to the query, the Minister in charge of the Power Development Department (PDD) confirmed that the BoD had deliberated on the matter and taken a decision regarding the 10.5 MW Mohra Hydroelectric Project (HEP). According to the government, the decision was taken during the 97th meeting of JKSPDC’s Board of Directors held on February 9, 2026. The board resolved to float a Limited Tender Enquiry (LTE) for the engagement of a Transaction Advisor

(TA) from firms empanelled with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA). The selected Transaction Advisor will assist in the renovation, modernization, upgradation, and operation and maintenance (RM&OM) of the Mohra HEP, which is considered a heritage power project. The BoD further authorized the Managing Director of JKSPDC to finalize the Terms of Reference (ToR) and the evaluation framework, constitute a tender committee, and issue the award to the selected Transaction Advisor. “The processes have been initiated by JKSPDC in terms of the decision of the Board of Directors,” the minister informed the House. Officials said that IIT Roorkee is currently updating the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and carrying out the valuation of project assets, which is under preparation as some changes in the design have been suggested. The team also visited the Valley recently. Located along the banks of the River Jhelum on the Srinagar-Baramulla national highway in the

Mohra area of Uri, the project is considered one of the oldest hydroelectric power projects in South Asia. The power project became defunct after the devastating floods of 1992. “The project was established during Maharaja Ranbir Singh’s reign, and machinery was brought from Rawalpindi in present-day Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on horse carts before the 1947 Partition,” locals said. The Mohra hydroelectric project was constructed in 1902 by Canadian-born engineer Major Alian de Litbniere and had unique engineering features, including an 11-kilometre-long wooden flume that acted as a water conductor. “The project was first damaged during the 1959 floods, but engineers restored it and expanded its capacity from 4 MW to 9 MW, which was later increased to 10.5 MW,” locals added. The project was formally handed over to the J&K government in 1962. However, after the 1992 floods caused severe damage, its restoration has remained pending for more than three decades.