Srinagar, June 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that discussions are underway with the central government to revive two key development projects—one each in Jammu and Kashmir—that were previously halted due to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
Speaking to reporters after a review meeting at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar with Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, the Chief Minister said that the temporary suspension of the IWT following the recent Pahalgam terror attack has created an opening to revisit long-stalled initiatives.
“Now that the Indus Water Treaty is on hold, we are exploring the possibility of restarting two projects—one in Kashmir and the other in Jammu. Talks are currently ongoing with the Centre to move these forward,” Omar said in response to a question on whether the government planned to take advantage of the treaty’s suspension.
The Chief Minister noted that the review meeting primarily focused on centrally sponsored schemes and development projects under the Power and Housing & Urban Affairs departments, both of which fall under his portfolio.
He reported encouraging progress. “We are satisfied with the overall performance of both departments. That said, we have received feedback indicating minor gaps in certain areas. The Centre has made some suggestions, and we are committed to addressing them appropriately,” he added.
When asked about the financial challenges facing the Power Department, Omar acknowledged that the sector remains burdened by debt, largely due to the gap between the purchase price of electricity and the subsidized rates at which it is supplied to consumers.
When asked about the financial challenges facing the Power Department, Omar acknowledged that the sector remains burdened by debt, largely due to the gap between the purchase price of electricity and the subsidized rates at which it is supplied to consumers.
“We are providing electricity at concessional rates to domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers alike. This subsidy is a major reason for the department’s financial deficit. However, we are optimistic that the situation will improve with time,” he stated.
It is pertinent to mention that the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project, which began in the early 1980s, was one of the major initiatives stalled due to Pakistan’s objections under the Indus Water Treaty. With the treaty currently inactive, the project may now see renewed progress.
