CM reduces timeframe of power projects by 1 year

Indigenous power generation prime focus of government 
Pinpointing indigenous power generation as the prime focus of his government, Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah has asked Power Development Department (PDD) to reduce timeframe for completion of all ongoing projects by one year so that gap between availability and requirement of electricity is reduced in the State. He said government would provide funds and other logistical support to the department for completing these projects one year ahead of their scheduled dates of completion.
The Chief Minister was speaking while taking a review of Power Development Department at a high-level meeting, here today.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Mr. S. S. Kapur, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development, Mr. S. L. Bhat, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey, Commissioner/Secretary, PDD, Mr. Sandeep Naik, Managing Director, PDD, Mr. Bipul Pathak, Development Commissioner, Power, Mr. Altaf Ahmad and various Chief Engineers of the department.
Calling for utilizing non-conventional power generation mechanism to add to production capacity, Mr. Abdullah said possibilities for liquid fuel thermal power generation and pithead coal-based thermal generation should also be explored. “Power generation by utilizing biomass is gaining global popularity nowadays”, he said and instructed PDD authorities to focus on this area as the State is rich in biomass resources.
Mr. Abdullah said that power is the crucial sector governing economic growth and industrial development besides catering to the domestic and commercial electric needs. “A comprehensive policy to catapult this sector is important for all-round development”, he asserted.
Chief Minister told PDD officers to gear up the department at all levels and deliver on-ground by way of completing power generation projects under implementation ahead of time ensuring self-reliance in this core sector. This, he said, can be achieved by reducing target period for completion of ongoing projects, bringing down transmission losses, curbing thefts, improving distribution system and bringing about reforms in the power sector. 
Mr. Omar said regular and uninterrupted power supply to consumers should be the fundamental objective of the department, adding that people were ready to pay tariff. He said reforms in the distribution and generation of power supply are must to generate and supply adequate electricity to the people.
Commissioner/Secretary, PPD, Mr. Sandeep Naik, in a power-point presentation, gave details of various activities of the department in the field of generation, transmission, distribution and maintenance of power system in the State.
It was stated in the meeting that 10 major power projects are in the offing to generate 5,830 MWs by 2016 in the State. These include Rs. 700-crore 93 MW New Ganderbal, Rs. 1,900-crore 240 MW Karthai-I, Rs. 6,000 crore 1000 MW Karthai-II, Rs. 4,500-crore 690 MW Ratle, Rs. 250-crore 37.5 MW Parnai, Rs. 8,000-crore 1,200 MW Sawalkote, Rs. 3,000-crore 450 MW Baglihar-II and Rs. 13,000-crore three other power projects. The targeted dates for completion of these projects range from 2011 to 2016.
The Chief Minister was also briefed about the geothermal power generation, small hydro-projects and power projects under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP), Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyuti Karan Yojana (RGGVKY), strengthening of transmission system including construction of grid stations, receiving stations and substations in the State.
The meeting was informed that under PMRP power sector, for which Rs.14,000 crore have been earmarked, four hydro-electric power projects of 240 MW Uri-II, 120 MW SEWA-II, 45 MW Nemo Bazgo and 44 MW Chutak were under execution in the State which are likely to be completed by 2012.