Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar power transmission line, at Leh, in Jammu & Kashmir. This 245-km long transmission line will be built at a cost of around Rs. 1,788 crore.
Modi also dedicated to the nation the 45-MW capacity Nimmo Bazgo hydropower project on river Indus and 44-MW Chutak hydropower station at Kargil.
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd is implementing the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar Transmission System for connectivity of Leh/Kargil area in Ladakh with Northern Region Grid at 220kV level. The transmission system includes 375-km transmission line at 220kV voltage level from Alistong (Srinagar) to Leh via Kargil with four 220/33kV substations at Drass, Kargil, Leh and Khalsti. This transmission system will be able to facilitate availability of power of about 100-150 MW in Ladakh region.
The 45-MW Nimmo-Bazgo hydropower project is a run-of-river scheme to harness the potential of river Indus in Leh district of Ladakh region. The NHPC project is designed to generate 239 million units of energy. The power station comprises a 57m high concrete gravity dam, three intake structures on the power dam portion on right bank for diversion of water through a 3.3m diameter steel penstock of about 55.0m long, a surface powerhouse located at the toe of the dam on right bank and a short tailrace channel. The powerhouse has an installed capacity of 3×15 MW.
The project was approved in August 2006 at an estimated cost of Rs. 611 crore. However, on account of escalation, statutory charges and higher cost of award, the project cost was revised to Rs. 985 crore. All the units were commissioned at available load in June 2013 and commercial operation started in October 2013.
The 44-MW Chutak hydroelectric project, also developed by NHPC, is located in Kargil district of J&K. The 15m high and 47.5m long barrage is located about 14 km upstream of Kargil near Sarzhe village. This run-of-river scheme on river Suru will generate 216 million units in a 90 per cent dependable year, utilising a rated head of 52m developed by construction of a 15m high barrage and a 4,780m long by 5.9m dia horseshoe shaped headrace tunnel.
The Chutak project was cleared in August 2006 at an estimated cost of Rs. 621 crore, which was revised to Rs. 894 crore due to escalation and statutory charges. Power generated from this project is supplied to Kargil district.
The Prime Minister had last month inaugurated the 240-MW Uri-II hydropower project located near the Line of Control in Baramulla district of Kashmir (see related stories on pages 4 & 13).
Modi also announced Rs. 8,000 crore additional funding for road projects in Jammu & Kashmir.
