Modi to inaugurate Baglihar-II hydropower project
J&K Power Development Corporation gears up to complete successful run of project’s final turbine
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit on November 5, the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) has geared up to complete the successful run of the third and final turbine of the 450-MW Baglihar-II Hydro Electric Project (BHEP) in the Chanderkote area of Ramban district.
The Prime Minister is proposed to inaugurate the project during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 5.
“We are yet to get an official communication about the Prime Minister’s visit, but we have started our preparation for the proposed visit. The Prime Minister’s visit is always a good omen for the state and we are eagerly looking forward to it,” Abdul Wahid, Chief Engineer (Civil), BHEP, said.
He said they had successfully commissioned the generation of 300-MW additional power by commissioning two turbines, having power generation capacity of 150-MW each, of the BHEP Phase-II, while the third turbine (150-MW capacity) of Phase-II was likely to be put to trial test for at least 72 hours next week.
“After successful trial testing of the third and final turbine of the BHEP Phase-II, the project will be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister on November 5 (as proposed),” he said.
Put together, all three units of the 450-MW project (Phase-II) would generate 1,302 million units electricity. So far, the JKPDC-owned power projects generate about 761-MW electricity. The commissioning of Phase-II of the Baglihar power project would increase the state’s generation capacity to over 1,211 MW.
However, the first phase of the Baglihar project (450 MW) was commissioned in 2008 and the work for second phase had started in 2012. Both the phases of 450-MW capacity each have a 30-35 km-long common reservoir up to Pul Doda in Doda district.
Environmentalists have expressed concerns over its impact in the erstwhile Doda (Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts) after the creation of 30-km-long water reservoir in the Chenab. The river already has 690-MW Salal hydroelectric power project in Reasi and 390 MW-Dulhasti hydroelectric power project in Kishtwar.
Sources said the JKPDC would be able to run only one turbine after the inauguration of the project as water discharge in the Chenab generally remained low during winters due to snowfall in the upper reaches.
The estimated cost of the second phase (450 MW) of the project is Rs 3,113. 19 crore. Nearly 40 per cent of the total power generation would go to the state Power Development Department to meet its energy requirements, while the remaining 60 per cent would be sent outside to generate revenue to clear loans availed to raise the project.
On October 15, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed after his meeting with the Prime Minister had said he (Modi) would visit the state on November 5 during which he would also inaugurate the Baglihar-II Hydro Electric Project.
