Eight power generation schemes gets approval

Mirpur: AJK government under 2 to 3-year phased development program has approved eight power generation schemes worth Rs 1.60 billion.

The sources said that with the liberal financial contribution of the government and under the mass spirit to make Azad Jammu Kashmir self-sufficient and self-reliant in power production, a broad-based phased Hydel power generation plan has been launched in both private and public sectors in AJK with the allocation of a total of Rs 4000 million during current fiscal year for the projects.

Moreover, the sources said that the objective of launching the phased plan for hydel power generation was primarily not only aimed at to make AJK self-supported to meet its power needs but also to get rid of the load-shedding on permanent bases. He categorically declared that load shedding in AJK could not come to an end unless required hydel power was not generated.

First phase of the plan involve the ongoing construction work of a total of 13 public-sector Hydel power generation projects of Rs 16,400 million, holding the total power production capacity of a total of 82.52 megawatt. He said that the current financial year allocation of Rs 4,000 million include Rs 1,800 million to be contributed from domestic development funds and Rs 2,200 million contributed by Canadian government in shape of soft loan included mixed credit.

The under-construction Hydel power generation projects include Neelam-Jhelum Hydel Power Project, Jagran II of 43.5 Megawatt hydel power generation capacity, Jheeng (14.4 MW), Batlar (4.8 MW), Dhannan (1.7 MW), Sharian (3.2 MW), Sharda 3.0 MW), Rangarh-I (0.6 MW), Hillan (0.6 MW), Halmat (0.32 MW), Rangarh-II (0.60 MW), Qadirabad (2.0 MW), Kathai-II (1.6 MW) besides Chamfall of (6.00 MW) capacity. He said that Kel-II Hydro Electric station has been completed and whereas Kathia-II station will be completed by the end of this month. Al these stations will be located in Muzaffarabad and Neelam valley districts.

With the completion of these development projects, no house across Azad Jammu Kashmir will bereft of electricity by the end of the year of 2010, official sources said.