NHPC has refused to start the survey and investigation work on the 1,020-mw (4x255) Bursar hydroelectric project in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir till the Ministry of Water Resources makes fund available for the project.

Last month, the Central Water Commission asked NHPC to begin the survey and investigation work for preparing the DPR with funds from its own resources and later adjusting it with funds released from the CWC. However, NHPC informed the central government that it would start the investigation only after release of funds. It also requested the Ministry of Power to impress upon the water resources ministry to release funds at the earliest.

NHPC has submitted an abstract of the cost for preparation of DPR, considering Pakal as well as Hanzal sites, amounting to 104.13 crore. The water resources ministry had informed the hydropower utility that in the 11th Plan budget outlay for Central Plan Scheme of Integrated Water Resource Development, a provision of 56.20 crore had been made for detailed project reports of Gyspa and Bursar projects, to be taken up by Central Water Commission. But, actual release of funds is still awaited due to which the project has been delayed.

Further, NHPC has also requested for prior-environment clearance for Pakal and Hanzal sites for the Bursar project, stating that it would be difficult to apply for Stage-I forest clearance to the state forest department, without carrying out the detailed investigation and environment impact assessment study. Due to the delay in sanction of funds, deployment of J&K armed police personnel has also been postponed.

The Bursar hydroelectric project is a storage project envisaged to come up near Hanzal village in J&K. The storage system of the power project is expected to be used for additional power generation during the lean flow months. The project is expected to generate 2018.04 million units in a 90 per cent dependable year.

The project will also benefit the downstream projects-Pakal Dul, Dulhasti, Ratle, Baglihar, Sawalkot and Salal hydroelectric projects. Bursar HEP is envisaged with four units of 255 mw each in the project. The total cost incurred till December 2011 is 100.48 crore.