• Power project can generate electricity only in summers
• 50 % power from Baglihar-I sold outside
The 450 MWs Baglihar-II power project inaugurated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on November 7 is non functional while 50 per cent of the electricity generated from the first phase of the project is sold outside despite Valley facing 8-9 hour daily power cuts.According to officials, the second phase of Baglihar project is non functional as it has been designed to generate electricity only in summers.
They said both Baglihar-I and Baglihar-II power projects have common dam due to which only one project is functional as of now.
“Due to lesser discharge from the Chenab river, only 2 machines of the Baglihar-I project are being run while second phase is non functional and will be operated in March when the discharge in the river increases,” an official said.
PM Modi inaugurated 450 MWs Baglihar power project phase-II in Ramban on November 7. After inauguration of the power project, it was expected that the power supply position in the State will improve.
“The project was inaugurated despite the fact that work on an alternate transmission line to supply power to Kashmir from the second phase of Baglihar project is still not complete,” said an official.
He said laying of the Kishenpur-Wanpoh transmission line is yet to be completed.
“The line will provide an alternate transmission facility for supplying the electricity from Baglihar to Kashmir Valley,” the official said.
He said as of now it is only connected through 440-KV Kishenpur-Srinagar line.
The official said production from Baglihar project phase-I has also declined to 300 MWs due to less discharge of water from Chenab river.
“Only 50 percent of the electricity being generated from the first phase of the power project is provided to the Power Development department (PDD) while rest of the electricity is sold to PTC and it is being consumed by other states in India,” said an official, who oversees the running of the project.
The Valley is presently facing power crises with the Power Development Department (PDD) resorting to 8-9 hour power cuts on daily basis.
“We don’t understand why PM inaugurated the project when it has not benefitted the state and 50 percent of the power generated from first phase by the state run Power Development Corporation (PDC) is sold outside the state,” said an official.
He said the government must re-examine its power purchase policy as the generation of power within the state is more than the requirement.
Chief Engineer, Baglihar-II, Abdul Wahid, admitted that the project is non functional.
“We will be able to run it after the discharge in the river increases. We hope to do this in March,” he said.
