Power production in Jammu and kashmir

Capacity production of power is that the dream of the Chief Minister. He needs that in next 5 years, the State ought to be able to manufacture 4000 MW of power to spice up its programme of creating the State self-sufficing during this major sector. we've the made water resources and that we would like harnessing the resource into generating power. There will be no justification for the State to be deficit in power once it's most of water resource obtainable. In his recent scrutiny of Baglihar Hydro electrical Project (BHEP) at Chanderkot in Ramban, it absolutely was reminded that the primary stage of 450 MW BHEP was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2008 and therefore the project started industrial generation of power from Apr one, 2009. "The powerhouse has generated ten,724.06 million units of energy by the top of August 2012 value Rs four,027.450 large integer since its scrutiny against associate expenditure of Rs five,506.30 crore," a political candidate voice aforesaid. Presently pre-commencement works besides some essential works of stage second area unit below execution. associate expenditure of Rs 673 large integer has been incurred up to July 2012 on BHEP stage second, scheduled  to be commissioned by August 2015. All this augurs well for the state and hopefully when researching an extended ordeal of power shortage, the State can enter a replacement section of adequate power provide. this could naturally provides a boost to speedy industrial enterprise of the State and rejuvenation of arranged  off industries so as to revive the economic and monetary health of the State. The satisfying facet is that the Chief Minister has totally understood the importance of strengthening power sector and streamlining its generation, transmission and distribution system. varied reforms prompt for the PDD solely recently have sent a message that the current Government is seriously involved with delivery in forceful modification for improvement of power position within the State.

4000 MW power generation in 5 years

Government these days same it's set a target of generating over four,000 MW of power throughout successive 5 years.

"A variety of power comes are launched for execution whereas several area unit within the pipeline to attain the target of generating over four,000 MW of power throughout successive 5 years," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah same.

During his visit to the distinguished Baglihar Hydro electrical Project (BHEP) at Chaderkote in Ramban on the Srinagar-Jammu National road, the Chief Minister inspected numerous units, as well as the dam, that is common for the primary and second stage of the BHEP.

Omar underlined the importance of construction of hydro-electric comes within the State to harness its large hydro-electric potential and attain self-reliance in energy generation.

"The economic process and holistic development of a State like Jammu and Jammu and Kashmir is basically obsessed on the assembly of electricity," he said, adding power generation has been flagged united of the foremost vital issues by his Government within the development policy.

The first stage of 450 MW BHEP was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2008 and also the project started business generation of power from Apr one, 2009.

"The powerhouse has generated ten,724.06 million unit of energy by the tip of August 2012 price Rs four,027.450 large integer since its review against associate degree expenditure of Rs five,506.30 crore," an officer interpreter same.

About the second stage of the project, the interpreter same the contracts for civil and hydro mechanical works and Electro-Mechanical works stand signed on March thirty one, 2012.

"Presently pre-commencement works besides some essential works of stage second area unit beneath execution," he same adding, the monetary closure for BHEP stage second is being achieved once language of loan agreement with Power Finance Corporation of Republic of India for Rs one,679.23 large integer and with J&K Bank for Rs five hundred large integer.

The completion value of the project in 2015 is probably going to be Rs three,113.19 large integer and also the balance quantity of Rs 933.966 large integer are met out of State equity, the interpreter same.

He same associate degree expenditure of Rs 673 large integer has been incurred upto July 2012 on BHEP stage second, regular to be commissioned by August 2015.

The interpreter same BHEP second stage can generate 1302 MW of energy annually with a median annual financial gain of concerning Rs five hundred large integer.

He was among the Principal Secretary Power Development Department, Sudanshu Pandey and administrator, Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC), Basharat Ahmad Dar.

Receiving stations to be upgraded

Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla these days said that the govt has earmarked Rs. 2.5 crore for augmentation of drinking water facilities at Bhawani Vihar and Basant Vihar localities, adding that the deep drill tube well is nearing completion, whereas the work of laying of water provide pipes within the uncovered areas would be completed inside a week's time.

This was stated by the Minister whereas addressing a gathering at Bhawani Vihar in Trikuta Nagar, here today.

Mr. Bhalla said for providing all infrastructural facilities and speedy development of each corner of the Bhawani Vihar and Basant Vihar, the govt has brought the areas beneath Municipal limit. He said Government was committed to supply all basic amenities to the inhabitants of each the localities like safe drinking water, regular power provide, education, healthcare, road connectivity, besides higher lanes and drains.

On the occasion, the Minister took stock of developmental desires of the world and listened to the issues of the locals. He issued on-the-spot directions to involved to require applicable action to fulfill their developmental desires. He said that Rs. 6.33 lakh has been already approved for widening of lanes by fixing iron grating over drains within the twin localities. He directed involved officers and engineers to formulate plans beneath totally different sectors for improving basic facilities in these areas.

Regarding construction of Multipurpose Hall, Mr. Bhalla referred to as upon the folks to spot the land in order that the estimate for the project might be ready for early fulfilment of their real demand. He asked the PDD to put in sufficient poles in Basant and Bhawani Vihar areas and replace wiped out wires to avoid any mishap.

The Minister informed that the govt has submitted a proposal to Central Government beneath ADB Loan-2 for upgradation of all the receiving stations in town of temples, adding that when obtaining approval from GOI, the ability infrastructure in Jammu are upgraded during a huge means. He said the govt has ready a comprehensive proposal for construction/modernization of Deeli, Bathindi, Sunjwan and Trikuta Nagar nallahs that the work would be started when conducting survey by November this year beneath ADB Loan-2 funding.

Listing the new prestigious comes being started within the Gandhi Nagar Constituency, the Minister informed that Government has earmarked Rs. eight crore for construction of five hundred seated capability totally air-conditioned auditorium close to Government ladies highschool, Gandhi Nagar.

Mr. Bhalla said directions are issued to the executing agency to complete each the comes inside stipulated time-frame for extending timely edges to the scholars and lecturers.

VC for Jammu Central University

Lecture on Micro Hydro Electrical Projects

Indian Institute of Public Administration, J&K Regional branch organised a lecture on ‘Micro-Hydro electrical Projects’ here these days.

The Concept paper was browse by Chief Engineer (Retd), PN Daftri.

Member, State Electricity Regulatory Commission, DS Pawar was the Chief Guest on the occasion, who additionally presided over the perform.

In his presidential address, Pawar noticed that non-electrified villages are within the troublesome terrain or located within the remote and much flung areas of the State, that are creating the method of electrification terribly expensive and un-reliable. therefore it's higher to affect these villages through decentralized generation schemes like Mini- Micro Hydel comes.

He added that 2 issues required to be solved, one capital price, that should be kept as low as attainable by use of standardized hardware and native engineering and also the different smart load issue, that should be high enough to form project viable.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Vikrant Kuthiala introduced the topic.

Chief Engineer, Power Development Corporation, Ashok Koul, highlighted the role of PDC in identification, investigation and allotment of tiny Hydel comes to IPPs. He additionally stated the supportive role of PDC in serving to IPPs acquire varied clearances as well as acquisition of land.

The perform concluded with vote of thanks by Vikram Gour.

Prominent among people who attended the perform included chairman, IIPA, Regional Branch J&K, Ashok Bhan, secretary IIPA, JBS Johar, Ex Administration Municipal Commissioner, Jammu, VN Sharma and lots of others.

Union Power Minister inspects Alchi project

PDC taking over Baglihar Power project

Grid Station inaugurated at Pounichak

Omar expresses concern over huge transmission losses

Underlining the importance of power sector within the economic development of the State, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that monetary self-reliance of the State is directly linked with harnessing of big potential of concerning 20000 MWs of hydro electricity offered within the State.

"My Government is functioning on a comprehensive conceive to create outstanding dent during this direction", he said, adding that considerable thrust is on the generation of power together with upgradation of distribution and transmission system. He said during a State where the entire income from all resources is Rs. 6500 crore and expenditure on salaries of state workers is Rs. 13500 crore, the sole hope for monetary self-reliance may be pinned to the facility sector.

The Chief Minister was inaugurating Power Grid Station at Pounichak in Jammu district these days. The station is of fifty MVA capability with 132/33 KV voltage level. the development of the Grid Station is accompanied with the installation of one.78 kilometres feeding line.

The construction of the station was taken in hand in 2010 at a value of concerning Rs. 16.72 crore. it'll profit the population of concerning one lakh inhabitants in Marh and Raipur-Domana Constituencies besides folks living in Talab Tillo, Trilokpur and adjacent areas.

The station will improve and regulate quality power provide at thirty three KV level feeding the sub-transmission system in Tehsil Jammu. it'll relieve the overloading of existing network and Grid Station at Janipur and Canal. The transmission line created together with the Grid Station is of one.7 kilometres long with seven towers of B+6 and D+0 varieties.

The Chief Minister said that improvement and upgradation of power provide to the shoppers is being ensured by construction of latest Grid Stations, Receiving Stations and Sub-Stations across the State. He, however, showed concern over the massive transmission losses the State should bear as a result of misuse of electricity. He said that the yearly losses on account of misuse and transmission leakage of electricity have touched over Rs. 2000 crore that ought to be serious concern to any or all. He said that this quantity if procured from the shoppers can be utilised on numerous development comes and employment generation for youth. He asked the shoppers to pay the electricity charges in accordance with the consumption they create.

Omar Abdullah said that the govt has place R-APDRP schemes to execution to scale back T&D losses by three % annually. He said upgradation and power reforms project R-APDRP has been taken in hand at a value of Rs. 1909 crore. He said that the project envisages improvement in HT/LT system in cities and cities with a population of ten,000 and higher than.

Omar Abdullah said that seven Grid Stations are completed in 2011 within the State whereas 2 are completed this month and another seven a lot of are in pipeline.

Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Legislators Sukhnandan and Ajay Sadhotra and Principal Secretary Power Development Department, Sudhanshu Pandey were gift on the occasion.

Joint venture for power projects in J&K

Union Power Minister inspects Alchi project

Unmetered Connections

PDD to maneuver application before SERC for extension in metering deadline

 The State Government has set to maneuver an application before the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) with the plea to increase the deadline for metering of regarding four.5 lakh electricity connections across the State in order that such an outsized range of shoppers don’t get deprived of power offer beyond April twenty eight, 2012, that as per the J&K Electricity Act, 2010 is that the last date for guaranteeing power offer through installation of correct energy meters.

Official sources said that following news-report during this paper that four.5 lakh non-metered shoppers wouldn't be entitled for power offer beyond April twenty eight, 2012 as per the provisions of J&K Electricity Act, 2010, the senior officers of the ability Development Department started deeply examining the relevant provisions of the Act.

"Even some officers of the ability Development Department unofficially contacted the State Electricity Regulatory Commission Members to debate the legal position and eventually it emerged that Department may adopt the recourse of moving an application before the SERC seeking extension within the deadline for metering of non-metered connections", they said.

However, for this the Department has got to chalk out comprehensive metering arrange for all the un-metered connections across the State and additional time-table needed to accomplish the task, that are very important steps before pleading the case before the Commission, sources said, adding whereas seeking extension within the deadline, the ability Development Department would got to justify before the Commission the delay behind meeting the sooner deadlines and elaborate how it'd accomplish this very important task at intervals the newly proposed time frame.

In response to a matter, they said, "the Commission will think about the applying of the PDD and extend the deadline by means of notification", adding "since the Commission has itself passed strictures against the PDD, the latter would got to bring clarity in its plans to complete metering exercise, that is important for preparation of applicable loss reduction ways and schemes".

When contacted, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Sudhanshu Pandey said, "I have directed the event Commissioner Power (DCP) to research matters and formally return up with the precise time frame needed to meter all the left-over non-metered connections", adding "we have found out comprehensive metering arrange, that is imperative to approach the SERC with plea to increase deadline beyond April twenty eight, 2012".

In response to a matter, he said, "DCP can return up with the time-frame at intervals on a daily basis or 2 following that additional steps would be initiated so as to make sure that non-metered shoppers still get electricity even beyond April twenty eight, 2012".

Among the four.5 lakh non-metered electricity connections, 3,99,697 are domestic, 43,339 non-domestic/ business, 3,022 agriculture, 249 public street lighting and 598 LT public water works. These un-metered connections are consuming connected load of 344.86 Mega Watts (MW).

It is pertinent to say here that SERC has been laying stress on the one hundred per cent shopper metering since 2007-08 money year when it issued initial Tariff Order because the metering could be a major step towards energy accounting and reduction of power losses.

894 cr power arrears due from Govt Deptts

Joint venture for power projects in J&K

PDD purchases power worth Rs 3000 crores this year

Due to harsh winter this season, the power consumption bill of Jammu and Kashmir’s power development department has reached to a record high of around Rs 3000 crores.

 According the official figures, during the last financial year 2010-11, the PDD had purchased the power from the northern grid worth Rs 2600 crores, but due to the increasing demand of power during this winter, the increasing consumption of power has forced the state government to import additional power from the northern grid worth Rs 3000 crores.

 The PDD senior officials said that state has only around 750 Megawatts of power available with the state run power projects, but due to abnormal power load during peak hours, had forced the department to import the power around 300 Megawatts to met the growing demand of the power.

 The PDD officials maintained that for the first time in the last couple of years, power purchase bill of the State Government has touched Rs 3000 crores during the current financial year in view of increased demand of supply by their consumers in Kashmir valley and Jammu in summer.

 The official also stated that it would be an increase of nearly Rs 400 crore in the power purchase bill during 2011-12 as compared to 2010-11.

 The official records of the department also indicate that power consumption has gone up to an all time high at 3.5 lakh units per day. The State was at present generating just 30 per cent of the power consumed while rest 70 per cent was being purchased from northern grid.

 The department has collected only around Rs 2000 crores from the households and from the different departments. However, the department is optimistic that in the coming months remaining money would also be collected from the.

 “A large collection, especially from industrial sector and offices of both Central and State Governments, besides the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) pay in last half of the financial, as we are anticipating the revenue to cross four digits for the first time,” official also said.

 The sources in the department also said that during first plan meeting held between Planning and Finance Department with the Planning Commission of India, the State had sought an annual power grant of Rs 2000 crores from the Central Government till the State becomes self sufficient in power and was able to overcome a huge deficit between power purchase bill and revenue realization.

 The Planning Commission had agreed to give a sympathetic consideration to the demand projected by bureaucrats of the State Government. The State had been given Rs 1300 crores worth annual power grant for three years during the tenure of Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chief Minister of the State.

 The special power grant was given during 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. It was stopped after three years. The Government has been demanding the special power grant on the same pattern from Rs 1300 crores to Rs 2000 crores, sources said.

NRHM scam

Dogri Artists Honoured

Power cuts in Sainik Colony

The PDD (Power Development Department) may be having hundred and one answers to the question asked under the heading given to this article [ i. e. why can’t PDD make Sainik Colony free from cuts], but the reality is, that it is high time for the Department to stop gathering answers for this highlighted issue and be sincere in taking the responsibility for providing 24 hours electricity supply to the residents of the Sainik colony where almost all houses have since been installed with the Government desired electronic meters and the customers of this colony , who are graded to be the most honest consumers of the electricity, are paying their electricity bills very regularly . There is hardly any case in the colony where any outstanding electricity bill remains un cleared , unlike many of the Govt departments / agencies where outstanding bills for the electricity consumed , amounting in crores of rupees has been shown unpaid in the recent important headlines of the newspapers. The public has lost its patience to hear any more, the Govt's argument that due to power theft and because of the less load shown in the sanctioned electricity connections ,the power cuts are done to protect the installed transformer . Well, in the Sainik colony no visible power theft exists and if at all there is any one in the jughees of the labourers, it is purely with the connivance and blessings of the concerned electricity staff members who can be taken to tasks if the department is active and interested but definitely, for this act of the department , the residents of Sainik colony can't be penalised . 

It is a clear cut case of injustice with the people living in Sainik colony Jammu that they for absolutely no fault of theirs, are forced to bear the unlimited power cuts both during day and night and to have some other lighting arrangements, they go either for purchasing their own generators or lay hands on different types of inventors plus tubular batteries . Well, it sounds good to have these arrangements but in the present days of sky high pricing of these alternatives, can a common man easily afford items which could certainly be avoided if the PDD shoulders its due responsibility in providing electricity without any cut. 

894 cr power arrears due from Govt Deptts

Power shut down

In order to carry out the preventive maintenance of equipment and replacement of worn-out jumpers/droppers and clamps of 220/132/33 KV yards of the Grid Station Udhampur, the shut down of 220/132/33 KV Grid Station Udhampur, the shut down of 220/132/33 KV Grid Station on April 8, 2012 from 6 a.m to 12 hrs has been allowed.

During the shutdown period, the power supply to Batote, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Ramnagar, Chenani, Army and Airforce will remain affected. 

Meanwhile, in order to carry out the emergency work of rectification of hot spots developed in 132 KV burbar droppers of 400 MVA Power transformer bank bay and preventive maintenance works at the Grid Station, shut down of 132 KV busbar and 220 KV Salal Ckt. I/II at 220/132 KV Grid Station Glandni on April 8, 2012 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. has been allowed. 

As informed by Chief Engineer, S&O Wing, Jammu, during the shut down period, power supply to Bari-Brahmana-I, Miran Sahib, Gangyal, Twin Districts of Poonch and Rajouri, Old Jammu City, Chhani, Nanak Nagar, Gandhi Nagar areas etc will be affected. 

In order to carry out the work of erection of 33 KV CT/PT unit on 33 KV Canal- Talab Tillo line & 33/11 KV R/Station Talab Tillo, the power supply to the areas fed from 33 Canal-Talab Tillo line will remain affected on April 8, 2012 (Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The part of Tabab Tillo, Tirlokpur, Ghomanhasan and adjoining areas will remain affected during the shut down.

In order to carry out the work of replacement of damaged 33 KV CT/PT unit on 33/KV New Sectt. Line, the power supply to the Kachi Chawni, Dogra Hall, Indra Chowk, Bus Stand, part of Jewel Chowk, Raghunath Bazar, Shalimar Chowk, Kanak Mandi, part of Rehari, B. C. Road, Resham Ghar Colony and adjoining areas fed from 33 KV New Sectt.. Line will remain affected on April 8, 2012 (Sunday) from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Fault in Baglihar Power Project

894 cr power arrears due from Govt Deptts

PDD disconnects illegal electricity connections

The Power Development Department (PDD) in series of inspections conducted at Akhnoor and Khour blocks of Jammu district on March 17 and 18, to recover huge outstanding of electricity charges and to regularize illegal connections and kundies.

At Akhnoor block power of 20 atta chakkis, five saw mills, three welding sets, four poultry farms and two brick kilns was disconnected for want of huge arrears. Arrears of ` 50,000 on account of electricity charges were recovered from two crushers. Besides power supply of DCM School at Gurah Brahmana was also disconnected due to non-payment of electricity charges.

At Khour block power connections of four domestic, three table saw mills, two poultry farms, one pump set and one welding set were detected illegal and a fine of ` 39,810 was imposed. Power supply of entire village Bhopur, consisting of 100 households was disconnected by switching off two 100 KVA Distribution Stations due to non-payment of electricity charges by the residents in the entire financial year. Besides three power connections and eight domestic connections were also disconnected at village Dhounchak, Datyal and Mattu due to non-payment of electricity charges.

They were warned that their power supply will not be restored till they deposit their electricity charges and regularize their illegal connections. The general public was requested to immediately deposit their electricity charges failing which the disconnection drive will be continued in other areas also.

Christmas 2011 Celebrated in Jammu

Lowest ever night temp 2011 in Jammu

Dying Heritage of Srinagar

PDD warns disconnection of supply if bills not cleared

Electricity Department has taken exception to non-clearance of pending electricity bills from several areas falling under the jurisdiction of Electric EM&RE Division-III, Jammu and warned to disconnect supply if they did not deposit their power bills within one week.

The Executive Engineer Electric M&RE Division-III, Jammu, has stated that there were huge outstanding of electricity bills of consumers and the concerned public was not coming forward to deposit even at the fag end of the financial year.

In Jammu West area the consumers of Ban Talab, Rajpura, Gole Gujral and Domana have not cleared their dues while in Bhalwal block the consumers of Kot Bhalwal, Aghore, Gharota, Garkhal, Simbliwala and Dharamkhoo are yet to clear their pendinf power bills.

The power bills are also pending in Marh and Gajansoo areas of Marh block while the villages under Akhnoor block from where the power bills are yet to be recovered included Rabta, Mathwar, Sarote, Dori-Dager, Balli, Nathal, Kathar, migrant colonies of Gurha Jagir and Naiwala. In Khour block the people of Pargwal, Hamirpur, Pangali, Derian, Bhopar, Datyal, Nikkian and border areas of Khour are yet to clear their pending power bills.

The Executive Engineer concerned has warned that the power connection of all the people would be disconnected, if they failed to deposit their pending electricity charges within one week. He also stated that no further notice would be issued in this regard.

He added that to facilitate the general public in the matter, all the offices of Electrical Department of these areas would remain open on all holidays, including Sundays till March 31, 2012 and that J&K Bank branches are accepting all Electricity Bills even after expiry of their due date.

Govt seeks IAF aircrafts to rescue stranded people

Altaf tours Kangan Constituency 

Embezzlement in NREGA projects

New Power Tariff from Apr 1st

Unlike past, new power tariff will come into force from Apr 1

For first time, PDD, PDC submit ARR 

Tariff Petition to SERC on schedule

For the first time ever since Jammu and Kashmir State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) came into being, the Power Development Department and Power Development Corporation submitted their Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Tariff Petitions to the Commission on schedule. Due to this the new power tariff would come into force with the beginning of next financial year—2012-2013 instead of middle of the year as was the practice till now and mark increase in revenue for the State.

Official sources told JK Newsthat Power Development Department and Power Development Corporation have submitted Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Retail as well as Generation Tariff Petitions to the State Electricity Regulatory Commission headed by S M Desalphine.

"This is for the first time since 2004-05 when SERC came into being that PDD and PDC submitted ARR and Tariff Petitions in the month of January as till last year the same were being submitted to the Commission in June-July as a result of which the new tariff was coming into force from the month of October", sources said.

It is pertinent to mention here that prior to setting up of SERC the Power Development Department was determining the retail tariff without any fixed time-schedule or period and the Commission started fixing retail as well as generation power tariff from 2007-08 financial year.

"Even during last year due to delay in submission of ARR and Tariff Petitions, the issuance of order by the SERC for new tariff got delayed and the same was passed on October 4, 2011", sources said while disclosing that while issuing Tariff Order last year the Commission had also expressed concern over delay in the submission of ARR and Tariff Petitions and stressed the need to strictly comply with the schedule fixed for the same.

Disclosing that as per the State Electricity Regulatory Act and Rules the Commission has to issue new tariff order within 120 days from the receipt of Annual Revenue Requirement and Retail and Generation Tariff Petitions from the PDD and PDC, sources said that Commission has already started its exercise on the petitions and it would be for the first time that new tariff would come into force from April 1, 2012 for the financial year 2012-13.

To a question, sources said that while going through the detailed exercise spread over 120 days, the Commission will seek all such details which were not submitted by PDD and PDC despite repeated directions.

"The slow pace of metering of connections despite the fact that same is vital component of the reforms in the power sector, delay in conducting feeder wise energy audits, not much progress in containing Transmission and Distribution losses, slow progress in revision of agreements of all categories of consumers to assess realistic connected load and also the maximum demand would be on top agenda of the Commission before determining retail tariff of the Power Development Department", sources said.

They disclosed that since most of the directives of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission have not been strictly complied by the PDD, the Commission is likely to go tough in getting the same implemented in letter and spirit.

Power shortage issue

 A day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah advised Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to give fatwa against power thefts, the latter challenged the former to recover outstanding power arrears of Rs 750 crores from security forces.
Addressing a gathering at central Kashmir Beerwah, Mirwaiz said that successive governments including present government of National Conference are directly responsible for present power crisis. He said they exploited natural resources of the state for their pretty political benefits.
“These so-called elected governments have made the people of the state slaves at the hands of New Delhi. We have huge water resource of generating 2000 MWs of power. A number of foreign countries are intending to invest here in power sector, but New Delhi is not allowing them.
They want the people of state to remain dependent on Delhi,” he said.
Mirwaiz said that the state government should stop atrocities against common people if they demand basic amenities like power. There is no need to announce Jehad against everyone. “We have started Jehad 20 years back
against all atrocities, against political atrocities, and against the atrocities of state government,” the Hurriyat (M) chairman said.
Mirwaiz without naming Omar said that those advocating Jehad against power thefts should themselves start initiating measures for preventing thefts against those who are being patronized.
“If the so called elected governments have courage and guts they should recover the outstanding power tariff from the so-called security forces. Rs 750 crores are pending with them. They should stop blaming common people and should concentrate on the recovery of power dues from security
forces,” he said.
Mirwaiz said that they do not expect from the state government to provide basic amenities. “We believe that those who are advocating that they can solve problems of the people cannot solve them without the resolution of long pending Kashmir issue. We believe that once the Kashmir issue
gets resolved as per wishes and aspirations of the people of the state, the administrative related issues would get automatically resolved,” he said.
The Hurriyat (M) leader also said that those, who have the wrong notion that people of the state have forgotten the ongoing freedom movement, are mistaken. “For the last 60 years, people of the state have loved this movement and New Delhi has failed to suppress the movement,” he said.
Mirwaiz said that solution of the Kashmir issue lies with tripartite talks and all such moves in which principal party, Kashmiris, are not included, will be a futile exercise.

Power shut down on Sept 10

In order to carry out rectification of weak points and replacement of worn-out jumpers/droppers etc besides routine/preventive maintenance at the grid station, the shutdown of 132 KV switch yard of 220/132/33 KV Grid Station Udhampur would be affected on the September 10 from 0600 hours to 1200 hour.

The power supply to Udhampur, Army, Ramnagar,Chenani, Airforce, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Thethar, Muller, Wanpoh, Chanderkote and Chenani shall remain affected during this time.

PDC taking over Baglihar Power project

PDC taking over Baglihar’s O&M from NHPC on Sept 2  Internal arrangement to meet Engineers shortage

After remaining 'sidelined' for two years, the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation is taking over the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the 450 Mega Watts Baglihar Hydroelectric Project from National Hydroelectric Projects Corporation (NHPC) on September 2, 2011.

Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that Government has conveyed to the NHPC authorities that the two years contract for O&M of the first ever mega State-owned project, which was signed in 2009 at a cost of Rs 150 crore, will not be extended and Power Development Corporation would takeover the O&M from it on September 2, 2011.

The PDC, which had also handled Operation and Maintenance of the project before 2009, has geared itself up to shoulder the major responsibility once again despite having some shortcomings with regard to cadre of engineers, sources informed.

At present, the PDC has four Executive Engineers, 12 Assistant Engineers and 15 Junior Engineers at Baglihar and keeping in view the shifting of daunting task of O&M, it has already set in motion the process of appointing 103 Junior Engineers in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical besides some Civil Draftsman to meet the requirement of manpower at different projects particularly at Baglihar, they said while disclosing that till the time these selections are made, the PDC will make some internal arrangements by seeking engineers from Power Development Department on deputation basis.

Like NHPC, which had further outsourced maintenance part to a company having expertise in the field, the PDC has also floated tenders for engaging companies for routine and annual maintenance of the project as the same needs experts. "September 2 is the last date for receipt of tenders, which were floated on August 10, 2011", they said while disclosing that except Salal Hydroelectric Project, the NHPC has outsourced maintenance part in all its projects.

There will be two separate companies for routine and annual maintenance and they will work under the close supervision of PDC. While annual maintenance is carried out in the months of November and December every year by shutting down the units one by one, the routine maintenance is carried out in the running conditions thus is of more importance, sources said, adding only those companies will be finalized which have the experience of handling not less than 300 Mega Watts of hydro electric project.

In order to ensure smooth functioning of the project following return of O&M, the Power Development Corporation has also entered into an agreement with the M/s Voith Siemens, which had executed the electro-mechanical works of the project. As per the arrangement, two experts of the German company will be at the disposal of PDC round the clock for assistance in automated control of the project.

"No doubt the PDC is also outsourcing maintenance part like NHPC but the return of O&M would help in saving crores of rupees, which were otherwise given to the NHPC during the past two years", they said and hoped that the Government would immediately take steps to create separate cadre of engineers for PDC so that the situation like which prompted the handing over of O&M to NHPC doesn't arise again in future.

Power Crisis in Jammu

With electricity continues to play hide and seek, there seems to be no end to the power crisis which have gripped the Jammu region this summer in general and during the on going monsoon in particular, adding to the woes of the common man to a great extent.

Though the increasing power crisis including long duration unscheduled curtailments, low voltage and fluctuation have made the life of people miserable throughout the Jammu region, the authorities at the helm of affairs are sleeping over the issue resulting into brewing resentment among the masses against the Department.

Despite the wide spread protests and demonstrations by people in various areas of city and its outskirts against the failure of the Power Development Department to maintain the proper supply of the electricity, the Department has failed to solve the problem in real sense.

The power scenario is so worst in the region that the people having the special lines have also to bear its brunt as the electricity supply remains off on these lines too for hours together.

The residents of Vikram Chowk and surrounding areas held a massive demonstration at Vikram Chowk in protest against the unscheduled power cuts in the area this evening. The irate people of these localities including, men, women and children, came to streets and protested against the PDD’s callousness towards the consumers.

Vikram Singh a resident of the area said that in addition to routine power cuts, the people have been facing an unscheduled power cut from 9 pm to 12 pm daily. Moreover there is also low voltage and power fluctuation in the area.

The situation is in no way better in Janipur, New Plots, Roop Nagar, Patoli, Subash Nagar and other parts of the city where the people are facing the unscheduled power cuts and low voltage problem for over a fortnight now. Ramesh Kumar a resident of Patoli said that the problem is common in every Summer and the Government over the years has not paid any attention to over come it.

He accused the Department of having no concrete policy in dealing with the problem which the people of Jammu have been facing over a decade now. The wires and transformers are out dated and old resulting into the leakage and power loss, he said, adding that the Department did not pay any sincere attention to overcome the problem.

The situation is also worst in the localities of Bantalab, Gurah, Muthi, Barnai, Udaywala, Bohri, Barnai, Darmal, Gurah Keran, Patoli Brahmana, Nagbani and Damana, said Suraj Parkash Padha,ex Sarpanch Muthi.

He said that despite an assurance given by Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sheetal Nanda to the protesting people of the area last month that the power problem will be solved within days, it worsened further since then.

He said that the low voltage and fluctuation besides burning down of power transformers has also damaged the electric gadgets of the people. He said the problem is being faced mostly in the localities of Muthi and Barnai.

Padha alleged that being an important Department the PDD should have a separate Cabinet Minister to look into the problems of the masses properly. Since the Department lies with Chief Minister who is already pre-occupied with other affairs so he can’t pay proper attention to its functioning which is also one of the cause of the problem.

The people will be forced to come to streets again in case the authorities failed to solve the problem said, Mukesh Sharma a social activist from Muthi. He alleged that despite sending huge bills to consumers every month the PDD is unable to maintain the proper power supply.

He warned that the people will desist from paying power tariff in case the power supply is not improved immediately.

Union Power Minister inspects Alchi project

The Union Minister for Power KC Venugopal along with the Minister of State for Power and CAPD Shabir Ahmad Khan today visited 45 MW Alchi hydel project to carry out on the spot inspection of the prestigious power project.

Mr. Venugopal said that Alchi Hydel Station will have a unique position on completion as it is going to be world's highest altitude Power Station.He appreciated the NHPC management for taking the challenge of its construction in tough terrains and inhospitable weather.

Assuring full support of his Ministry in the successful completion of the project, he said the Alchi project on operation would be instrumental for economic growth of the region as it will cater to the varied energy needs of the consumers.

Shabir Ahmad Khan said that after completion of this project, both civilian and defense establishments will be benefitted in a big way, adding the project would ensure dependable power supply to the consumers as well as industrial concerns.

Khan said to sort out issues regarding laying of transmission line, diversion of river Indus and remaining mechanical works of the project, a meeting will be held at Srinagar shortly.

The Chief Engineer, NHPC, JK Sharma gave a power point presentation to the Ministers, highlighting the salient features of 45 MW Alchi hydel project. He said that this project will be commissioned by July 2012.

During their visit to Alchi Hydel Project, Mr. Venugopal also inaugurated a steel truss bridge having span of 60 meters over river Indus, which has been constructed to facilitate supply of construction material to Alchi Hydel project.

The Ministers also visited the world famous 1000 years old Alchi Monastery.

NHPC to invest Rs 2400 cr in J&K

NHPC to invest Rs 2400 cr on 3 JV projects in J&K

Power utility NHPC today said it will invest Rs 2,400 crore on setting up three projects in J&K under a joint venture with Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and PTC India.

The joint venture entity—Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd—will implement three projects having a total capacity of over 2,100 MW. These are: Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (600 MW) and Kwar (520 MW).

"The total investment to be made by the joint venture firm will be around Rs 15,000 crore. NHPC’s equity contribution toward the entity will be around Rs 2,400 crore," NHPC Chairman and Managing Director A B L Srivastava said in an interview.

He said the joint venture company’s first project—Pakal Dul—is expected to be complete in six to seven years.

The three projects will be funded in a debt-equity ratio of 70:30.

Chenab Valley Power Projects was incorporated earlier this month.

In December 2010, Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation, NHPC and PTC India had inked a promoter’s agreement for setting up the new entity.

Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and NHPC would have 49 per cent stake each in the joint venture firm, while the remaining shareholding would be with PTC India.

Out of NHPC’s installed capacity of about 5,300 MW, over 1,600 MW comes from J&K.

The company is presently operating four projects in J&K, having a total capacity of 1,680 MW. These are: Salal (690 MW), Uri-I (480 MW), Dulhasti (390 MW) and Sewa-II (120 MW).

The State-run firm plans to add another 690 MW of capacity by commissioning five projects—Chutak (44 MW), Uri-II (240 MW), Chamera-III (231 MW), the first unit of Parbati-III (130 MW) and Nimmo-Bazgo (45 MW) -- by March, 2012.

Currently, NHPC—the country’s largest hydro electric power producer—is engaged in the construction of 10 projects at various locations in the country, having a total installed capacity of 4,502 MW.

Joint venture for power projects in J&K

Power utility NHPC along with Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and PTC India have incorporated a joint venture company to implement 2,100-MW hydro electric power projects in J&K.

The new entity Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd was incorporated on June 13.

"The Joint Venture Company will implement Pakal Dul and other hydroelectric projects with an aggregate install capacity of about 2,100 MW in the Chenab river basin of Jammu & Kashmir," NHPC said in a regulatory filing today.

In December last year, Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corp, NHPC and PTC India had inked a promoter’s agreement for setting up the new entity.

Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation and NHPC would have 49 per cent stake each in the joint venture firm while the remaining shareholding would be with PTC India.

Currently, NHPC—the country’s largest hydro electric power producer—is into construction of 10 projects having a total installed capacity of 4,502 MW.

NHPC is preparing detailed project reports for seven projects, having a total capacity of 2,485 MW, according to its website.

Fault in Baglihar Power Project

Though the electricity requirement is going up considerably due to rise in temperature and loss to the State exchequer is increasing by Rs 1.15 crore every day yet one unit of Baglihar Hydroelectric Project remained non-functional despite the lapse of two weeks and uncertainty still prevailing over the time-frame within which the snag would be rectified and unit made functional.

Official sources told News Agency that engineers of the Germany based company M/s Voith Siemens, which had carried out electrical works of the first ever State-owned mega power project, has not conveyed any time-frame to the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) and National Hydroelectric Project Corporation (NHPC) for the rectification of the fault.

"The engineers of M/s Voith Siemens have only conveyed that they have detected the fault and will start rectifying the same within next one or two days", they said, adding "the material which is required to make the stator core winding has reached project site only this evening while as the machine to be used is the process is still in transit".

Fortunately, both the material and machine were available at Karchum Wangthoo project in Himachal Pradesh where M/s Voith Siemens is also carrying out electrical works, they said, adding "had this been not available at the upcoming project in Himachal Pradesh it would have taken more than a month for the company to export the same from Germany".

To a question about what led to the snag in the one unit of the project, they said, "either any metal or screw seems to have got struck in the stator core winding leading to earth fault", adding "M/s Voith Siemens has not conveyed anything vis-à-vis fault in writing to Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) so far but they will have to share information with the Corporation prior to leaving the project site".

Due to non-functioning of the 150 Mega Watt unit of the project, the State exchequer is suffering a loss of Rs 1.15 crore every day and during the past two weeks, the loss to the exchequer on account of non-generation of 32 lakh units of electricity every day has gone up to Rs 16.12 crore, sources said, adding "as JKSPDC as well as NHPC are groping in dark about further time frame to be taken in rectification of fault the losses will go up further".

"What to talk of losses, the non-functioning of one unit is also leading to shortfall in availability of electricity and Power Development Department has started feeling the pinch of the same especially when the temperature has started rising", sources said.

"No doubt the fault will get rectified but the million dollar question is whose negligence led to the same", sources said, adding "it is the duty of the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) to find out what and where the things went wrong so that recurrence of such avoidable faults could be checked in future".

When contacted, Chief Engineer (Generation) of Baglihar, T K Koul confirmed that rectification of fault has yet to be started by M/s Voith Siemens. "Their engineers are likely to start the same within a day or two and it is difficult to specify any time-frame for the completion of work", he added.

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