Is J&K's Kishtwar Set To Become North India's Major Power Hub?

Kishtwar (J&K): Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar is set to become North India’s major "power hub" generating around 6,000 MW of power after the completion of the ongoing power projects. The surplus power from Kishtwar will not only be utilised for other parts of the UT of J&K, but could also be availed by other States.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said this during a visit to Kishtwar 

Dr Jitendra Singh who was scheduled to address two public rallies at Nagseni and Dachhan respectively, cancelled both the rallies as a mark of respect to the victims of tragic train accident in Odisha and instead convened a detailed meeting to review the progress of various Hydroelectric power projects in the Kisthwar and Doda districts. NHPC Chairman Rajiv Vishnoi, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Devansh Yadav and officials of Central and UT governments updated the Minister about the progress of the projects

The largest capacity project is Pakal Dul with a capacity of 1000 MW. Its expected timeline of competition is 2025. Another major project is Kiru Hydroelectric project with a capacity of 624 MW. The timeline in this case is also 2025.

Another Project located about 43 km from Kishtwar is Kwar Hydroelectric project with a capacity of 624 MW. The estimated cost of this project is Rs.4526.12 crore and the timeline of competition is 54 months. About 25 kilometers upstream of Kiru Hydroelectric project is another Hydroelectric project Kirthai II Hydroelectric project with a capacity of 930 MW.

Dr Jitendra Singh said these and other hydroelectric projects shall not only augment the power supply position thereby making up for the shortage of power supply in the UT of J&K, but the huge investment being made for construction of these projects is also a boost for direct as well as indirect opportunities for the local people.

Kishtwar today has come up on the Aviation Map of India 

Dr Jitendra Singh said Kishtwar today has come up on the Aviation Map of India and has been sanctioned an airport under Centre’s UDAAN Scheme, which nobody had ever imagined.

The Minister said, Kishtwar has got an AYUSH Hospital, while Padar was given a Kendriya Vidyalaya under Centre’s RUSA scheme.

Similarly, Dr Jitendra singh said, three new national highways including Khilani-Sudhmahadev Highway, a series of Degree Colleges, mobile towers enroute Machail Yatra and other remote areas have also come up.