How Modi Govt Is Fast-Tracking 4 Big Hydropower Projects Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
The four hydro-power projects being fast-tracked are - Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar and Kirthai.
“Now, India’s water will flow for India’s rights, will be stored for India’s rights, and will serve only India’s needs"- So said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, reflecting his firm stance on managing India’s water resources more effectively and ensuring they benefit the country first.
After the big surgical strikes in Pakistan, India is planning the big squeeze on water going to Pakistan. But how will this be executed? Four major hydro-power projects are being fast-tracked by the government. This comes at a time when India has put the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed by cross-border terrorists.
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How Govt Is Fast-Tracking 4 Big Hydropower Projects
1. Pakal Dul HE Project:
Located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar, the concrete-faced rock fill dam, standing at 167m, is the highest of its kind in India, with 72m of dam height progress and 24.78 lakh cum filling achieved. The completion of the Head Race Tunnel is vital for the timely completion of the project, and excavation is progressing rapidly. The government has approved the setup of transmission lines. The spiral casing erection for Unit-1 and Unit-2 was completed in February 2024.
2. Kiru HE Project (624 MW):
Located in Kishtwar, the timely completion of dam concreting works is essential for the project’s completion, with 3.5 lakh cum of concreting achieved out of a total of 13.95 lakh cum. The project is expected to be completed within the fixed timeline.
3. Kwar HE Project (540 MW):
A major milestone, the diversion of the River Chenab, was achieved in January 2024, allowing the start of main dam works, which are currently in progress.
4. Kirthai Stage-I (930 MW):
Located in the Kishtwar district, J&K, upstream of the Kiru HE project on the Chenab River, this run-of-river project will generate 3329.52 MU annually in a 90% dependable year. It involves the construction of a 121m high concrete gravity dam. The project is set to begin without the need for an earlier Indus Water Treaty clearance application. The power generated will be distributed widely.
More Developments
Power Purchase Agreements for Pakal Dul HE Project and Kwar HE Project have been signed with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) and Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL). Consents for power purchase have been received from Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka for both projects.
A Power Purchase Agreement for Kiru HE Project, covering 543 MW, has been signed with GUVNL, and consents for power purchase have been received from Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
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