624 MW Kiru hydel project gets green nod

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has given clearance to the 624-MW Kiru hydroelectric project in the state. The forest clearance for the Rs 4,640.88-crore project has already been accorded by the state government on May 19.
The green clearance for the project is a major achievement for the Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) which took it over from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in June 2013. Now, within three years, it has obtained all major approvals. The project is likely to be completed in 54 months.
Proposed on the Chenab river near Patharnakki village in the Kishtwar district, the Kiru project envisages construction of a 123-metre high concrete gravity dam with four intakes, four pressure shafts, an underground powerhouse of four units of 156 MW each to generate 624 MW of hydro power. This is a run-of-the-river scheme having a catchment area of 10,225 sq km. The total land to be acquired for the project is 179.78 hectares. Of this, 82.05 hectares is forest land, 51.37 hectares is government land and 46.36 hectares is private land.
The overall benefits to the state shall include a share of 49 per cent power from the project besides 12 per cent free power. The infusion of a large quantum of money and development of infrastructure would result in overall socio-economic development of the area.