Ratle, Kwar hydroelectric projects move at snail’s pace; only 6% progress in 10 months
The execution of two major hydroelectric projects (HEP)–Ratle and Kwar having the total installed capacity of 1,390 megawatts (MW)–on Chenab river in Kishtwar district appear to be moving at snail’s pace, notwithstanding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of these projects almost 10 months ago.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of 850 MW Ratle HEP and 540-MW HEP during his first major visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on April 24 last year.
According to an official document, the Environmental Clearance for Ratle HEP was awarded on December 12, 2012 but it remained caught in red tape and legal glitches for several years. Work on the project started last year and it appears to be moving at a slow pace.
Having an estimated cost of Rs 5281.94 crores (as per November 2018 price level), the project is being executed jointly by the RHEPPL and NHPC, and only 6 percent physical progress has been made on the project since the Prime Minister laid its foundation stone in April last year, despite the fact that the executing agency has set the target of February 2026 for its commissioning, revealed the document.
“As far as Kwar HEP is concerned, the executing agency Chenab Valley Power Project Private Limited (CVPPPL) has made just 4 percent of the physical project since last year. The executing agency has set November 2026 as its deadline for completion of the project. The project will be executed with an estimated cost of Rs. 4526.12 crore (as per September 2020 Price Level),” it added.
Ratle HEP and Kwar HEP are two major projects out of the total six power projects being executed in Jammu and Kashmir. “With the completion of these six power projects, the hydropower generation capacity of Jammu and Kashmir will double by November 2026 as these power projects will increase hydroelectric generation capacity of Jammu and Kashmir by 3,100 MW. The current power generation capacity of Jammu and Kashmir is 3,360 MW,” the document stated.
Other major hydroelectric projects being executed in Jammu and Kashmir include 1,000-MW PakalDul HEP in Kishtwar with 32 percent physical progress, 624-MW Kiru HEP in Kishtwar with 15 percent physical execution, 48-MW Lower Kalnai in Kishtwar with just nine percent physical progress and 37.50-MW Parnai in Poonch district having 51 percent physical execution.
Except Lower Kalnai and Parnai projects, the remaining projects are being executed under the central sector scheme.
Pertinently, no hydro project above 25 MW is taken up before getting Environmental Clearance which is given by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) only after a comprehensive assessment by an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
The project proposal is also assessed from the aspect of safety by the Central Water Commission (CWC). Central Electricity Authority (CEA) examines the project proposal before giving statutory concurrence along with other appraising agencies including Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS).
This ensures that all necessary clearances are in place before the start of construction of a hydro power project.
