Foundation stone laid for Dhanna Khoi Ratta hydel project

Islamabad: Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Government has launched the construction work on hydel power project of 1.7 megawatt worth Rs 300 million in a bid to explore the power potential in this Himalayan region. The Dhanna Khoi Ratta, Hydel Power Project is one of the projects of 5,594MW potential explored in AJK.

The project, which will start power generation in 30 months and give AJK an income of Rs 40 million per annum. The project, being constructed by Alamdar Engineering, will be handed over to AJK Government in 2011, and will provide employment to 150 to 170 people during construction and after completion 35 to 40 people will get jobs on this project.

Also, work on the 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydel Power Project will start soon, while feasibility studies of 1000 MW Kohala Hydel Project will be completed next year.

With completion of these two projects, AJK will be in a position to run the stalled wheel of industry and agriculture by providing it electricity.

Besides these two projects, potential of more about 15,000 MW hydro power project was traced in AJK, which can change the ultimate socio economic scene of AJK and of Pakistan as well.

AJK Government is in contact with WAPDA for utilising the hydro power potential of AJK. Wapda has offered AJK Government to help construct the power project below 50 MW capacities.

According to sources, Pakistan was facing a shortfall of about 4,000 MW electricity, which has badly affected the industrial and agriculture sectors and damaged economy. If Pakistani investors will invest in this sector, it will help the country not only to run the stuck industrial wheel but also help eradication of poverty, unemployment and economic disorder.

Giving details of the explored hydel power potential in AJK, the premier said that potential of 2,468 MW was explored in Muzaffarabad, 1,369 MW in Mirpur, 231 MW in Poonch, 645.4 MW in Kotli, 338.85 MW in Bagh and 541 MW in Neelum districts of AJK. At present AJK is generating just 37.65 MW electricity, while it needs 400 MW.

The work in progress on hydel power generation projects include 3 MW Sharda, 3.2 MW Sharian, 1.7 MW Dhanan, 4.8 MW Batter, 0.6 MW Hallan, 0.6 MW Rangarr, 0.32 MW Halmatt and 3 MW Qadirabad power projects. The feasibility study of four projects of 63.80 MW hydro power generation has been completed and will be kicked off soon. These projects include 43.5 MW Kuttan Jagran-II, 14.4 MW Jheng, 3.2 MW Rerra and 3 megawatt Hajeera.