The government has set an ambitious target to achieve six “iconic projects” in Jammu and Kashmir ranging from constructing dams to laying down gas pipelines and to build a much-anticipated metro line in the erstwhile state.
According to official documents reviewed by Rising Kashmir, the six iconic projects include, Kiru HEP (624 MW), Kwar HEP (540 MW), Shahpur Kandi, Ujh MPP (40,716 Ha) , Gas Pipeline (Bhatinda-Jammu Srinagar), and Metro Rail Srinagar/ Jammu.
Director-general planning and development and monitoring department, Shahzada Bilal Ahmad said that all the six projects have been consolidated by the planning department and the work on some projects is going on, while on some the work is yet to begin.
“Each project is looked after by their respective departments. Our job is to monitor the projects,” Bilal said.
Of three dam projects, Kiru HEP (624 MW) and Kwar HEP (540 MW) is being executed by the Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd, while the most anticipated Metro Rail project is looked after by Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC ).
Metro Rail project
The Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a Detailed Project Reports (DPR) worth Rs 10,599 crore for the metro rail projects in Jammu and Srinagar to the centre for approval.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, MD/CEO, Jammu/Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) Ankita Kar said that the DPR prepared by M/S RITES has been submitted to the Government of India.
“Approval/appraisal of the DPR along with funding for these projects is awaited from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India,” Kar said.
Of Rs 10,599 crore, the request support in getting JICA funding includes Rs 5,734 crore for Srinagar and Rs 4,825 crore for Jammu.
Both projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
However, Kar said they are not setting any deadline for the project as the GoI’s approval is still awaiting.
“The target is to complete the project by the end of 2024. But, it all depends how soon we will get approval from the central government,” she said.
On completion, Srinagar and Jammu will become the first two non-major cities in the country to have the rapid transport network functional.
As per the project, Jammu Light Metro will operate 17 hours a day round the year while Srinagar Light Metro will operate 17 hours daily during summers and 14 hours daily in winters.
The metro rail lines will have only elevated corridors as the underground tunnels were not found feasible. The coaches of the Metrolite system will be modern, lightweight and made from stainless steel and aluminium with an air-conditioning system, as per the DPRs.
The Jammu Light Rail System will have a 23-kilometre length with 22 stations between Bantalab and Bari Brahmana whereas Srinagar light rail system will have a 25-kilometre length which includes a 12.5-kilometre length from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and 12.5-kilometer length from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad with 24 stations (12 stations on each corridor).
Kiru HEP (624 MW) project
Kiru HE project a run-of-river scheme proposed on river Chenab in district Kishtwar of Jammu and Kashmir is about 42 kilomtres from Kishtwar. The project envisages construction of 135 metre high Dam and an underground Power House with 4 units of 156 MW each. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 4287.59 crore
The foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 3, 2019.
According to the documents, the construction work of the project is in progress. The likely date of the project completion is August 2024.
A high ranked official in Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd told Rising Kashmir said that the construction of approach road to Dam top (215m), DT inlet (1.6 Km) and outlet (1.27 Km) has been completed.
“Work for providing water supply to residential and non-residential buildings of the project are completed,” an official said. “The work for consultancy services for architectural and structural design including landscaping of the proposed combined colony for Kiru and Kwar is in progress.”
An official said that Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been assigned the job of up-gradation of two bridges on Dul-Galhar road.
“Letter of Acceptance of the said work has been issued by BRO on 5 August 2019 and soil investigations for abutment design is completed. Excavation up to foundation level for both abutments was also completed.
“Widening of approaches to bridge is in progress,” an official said, adding that Hydraulic Model Studies of Kiru has been awarded to CWPRS. 2D Spillway Model study and construction of civil works for 3D Spillway and Intake model is in progress.
Kwar HEP (540 MW) project
Kwar HE Project (540 MW) is proposed on river Chenab and is about 28 km from Kishtwar dsitrict. The project envisages construction of 109 metre high Dam, an underground power house with 4 units of 135 MW each. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 4948.26 crore.
According to the documents all clearances and exemptions are in place.
“Tenders for civil works issued and technical evaluation of bids received is under progress. NITs for E&M and HM package have also been issued,” the documents read.
The documents read that the investment approval is awaited and works would be awarded after investment approval of the project. The project is likely to be completed in 54 months from the start of project.
An official said the construction of the approach road to the project is in progress and progress of 4.2Km has been achieved against a total length of 4.48 Km.
“Hydraulic Model Studies of the project has been entrusted to CWPRS Pune on November 9, 2017, and the studies are in progress. Work for construction of 81m span 70R double lane bridge over River Chenab was awarded on August 31, 2018 and the construction work is in progress,” an official said. “Construction of Site office at Padyarna is completed.”
Shahpur Kandi project
Shahpurkandi Dam Project was declared as ‘National Project’ by the Ministry of Water Resources Government of India in February 2008.
Located on the Ravi River in Pathankot district, Punjab, the powerhouse will be constructed on Hydel Channel, which is downstream from Shahpurkandi Dam.
The project will generate electricity up to 206MW and provide irrigation to Punjab (5,000 Ha) and Jammu and Kashmir (32,173 Ha). The construction of the dam is as per the framework of the Indus Water Treaty regarding sharing of rivers between India and Pakistan.
The documents reveal that all clearances regarding the project are in place, however, the work is yet to be started on the J&K side by Punjab Project Authority.
The documents read that the land acquisition proceedings have been initiated by J&K Government for construction of balance portion of Ravi Canal, but the funds are awaited from the Punjab government.
In April 10 this year, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that the Shahpur-Kandi dam project will become functional by November 2022 and India will then be able to fully utilise the waters of the Ravi River in its territory.
“It will be a historic landmark as one of the major events marking the 75th year of India’s independence,” he told media, after laying the foundation stone of the Shahpur-Kandi Ravi canal.
Ujh Multipurpose project (40,716 Ha)
The Ujh Multipurpose Project (MPP) is a dam site at Barbari village about 1.6 km downstream of Panchtirthi. The powerhouse site is approximately 9.5 km downstream of the dam site near Deoli village.
In May 2020, the central government gave approval to a modified detailed project report (DPR) of the Ujh Multipurpose Project (MPP) in Jammu and Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 9,167 crore.
The project comes under Jal Shakti Ministry. The project has an Irrigation potential of 76,929 Ha and Power generation of 196 MW. A 116.00 metre high dam is proposed at the river with the full reservoir level (FRL) at 608 m.
According to the documents, all NoCs from UT departments and central ministries have been received, while ‘EFC Memo’ has been prepared by Jal Shakti Ministry.
Chief Engineer irrigation and flood control Jammu, Hamesh Manchanda said, “that the funds are awaited from the Government of India.”
The project is likely to be completed by March 2027.
Gas Pipeline project (Bhatinda-Jammu/Srinagar)
The project is a 778 km underground natural gas pipeline network from Bhatinda in Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir. The Bhatinda-Srinagar gas pipeline is estimated at Rs 5,000 crore project.
The documents said that the contract was awarded to GSPCL (MoPNG).
“The GSPL India Gasnet Ltd ( GIGL) authorities requested for initiation of the process of acquisition of RoU under the central P&MP Act. Reportedly GIGL has dropped out,” it said.
An official, on anonymity, said that the project is currently in limbo.
“There is no headway on the project as of now,” an official said.
