The persistent power woes in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are not merely a technical or infrastructural issue but a glaring reflection of decades-long inefficiency, debauchery, and misplaced priorities of successive governments. It is ironic and deeply frustrating that a region capable of producing surplus hydroelectric power is plagued by routine blackouts, forcing its citizens to adhere to draconian curtailment schedules while the electricity generated from its rivers lights up homes in other Indian states.
This article delves into the historical mismanagement of J&K’s energy resources, explores the political decisions that stripped the region of its rightful control over its power generation, and questions the sheer absurdity of invoking the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in this context. Finally, it critiques the state’s leadership for failing to pursue energy independence aggressively.
Hydroelectric Potential: The Untapped Wealth of J&K
Jammu and Kashmir has enormous hydroelectric potential, estimated at 20,000 MW, out of which 16,475 MW has been identified as exploitable. As of 2024, only about 3,500 MW of this capacity has been harnessed. Despite this, J&K faces a staggering power deficit of 30%, significantly higher than the national average of 20%. For a state so rich in natural resources, this is an unacceptable paradox.
The region’s power crisis becomes even more tragic when considering that the electricity generated in Kashmir is predominantly exported to other states through the Northern Grid, while the local populace endures power cuts ranging from 6 to 12 hours daily in winter. This injustice has its roots in the flawed agreements and policies crafted by successive governments.
Historical Betrayal: How J&K Lost Control Over Its Power
The erosion of J&K’s rights over its power generation began under the rule of the National Conference (NC). In 1975, under Sheikh Abdullah’s leadership, the J&K government signed an agreement with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), effectively handing over control of major hydropower projects like Salal and later Dulhasti. These projects, built on J&K’s rivers, generate power that primarily benefits states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
The NHPC now controls over 2,000 MW of J&K’s hydroelectric capacity, earning significant revenue while paying J&K a pittance in royalties — often less than 15% of the generated power. This arrangement has turned J&K into a mere bystander in its power generation story, unable to reap the benefits of its abundant natural resources.
Adding insult to injury, successive state governments, led predominantly by the National Conference, failed to renegotiate these agreements or invest in state-owned power projects. Instead, they relied on purchasing electricity at exorbitant rates, plunging J&K into a debt spiral. As of 2024, J&K’s power purchase liability stands at over ₹12,000 crore, further exacerbating its financial woes.
The Indus Water Treaty: A Convenient Diversion by the NC
The National Conference and other political parties often invoke the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) to deflect blame for J&K’s power woes. While it is true that the IWT restricts India’s use of the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers for storage and agricultural purposes, it does not prevent the construction of run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects, which form the backbone of J&K’s power generation.
Blaming the Indus Water Treaty is a deliberate attempt by the National Conference to whitewash its culpability in J&K’s energy mismanagement. It was Sheikh Abdullah’s government that signed away control over J&K’s hydroelectric projects to NHPC in the 1970s, long after the IWT was signed in 1960. The treaty is irrelevant to the power agreements that the NC willingly entered into, sacrificing J&K’s energy autonomy for political expediency.
The IWT argument is thus a red herring, designed to obscure the real issue: the inability and unwillingness of J&K’s political leadership, particularly the National Conference, to leverage the treaty’s provisions for the state’s benefit. Instead of blaming the treaty, the focus should be on reclaiming control over existing projects and accelerating the development of new ones within the treaty’s framework.
Leadership Failure: Curtailment Schedules Instead of Solutions
In a particularly tone-deaf statement, J&K’s Chief Minister recently urged citizens to adhere to power curtailment schedules, citing limited resources and infrastructural constraints. This approach is not only shameful but also emblematic of a leadership that has resigned itself to mediocrity.
Instead of accepting the status quo, the government should focus on innovative solutions to achieve energy independence:
- Reclaiming Projects from NHPC: The state must aggressively pursue the transfer of NHPC-controlled projects back to J&K. The Dulhasti and Salal projects alone could significantly reduce the power deficit if brought under state control.
- Investing in State-Owned Projects: J&K should prioritize the development of state-owned hydroelectric projects. For example, the 900 MW Bursar project on the Chenab River, pending for years, could have been a game-changer if pursued diligently.
- Leveraging Solar and Wind Potential: While hydroelectric power remains J&K’s primary resource, the region also has untapped solar and wind energy potential, particularly in Ladakh. Diversifying the energy mix could reduce dependence on hydroelectric power during lean seasons.
- Reducing Transmission Losses: J&K suffers from one of the highest transmission and distribution (T&D) losses in India, averaging around 50% compared to the national average of 20-25%. Plugging these losses through infrastructure upgrades and anti-theft measures could free up substantial power for local use.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging private investment in the power sector could accelerate project implementation and bring much-needed expertise and capital.
The Cost of Inefficiency: Data Speaks
The financial implications of J&K’s power crisis are staggering:
- Annual Power Purchase Bill: ₹7,000 crore
- Revenue Collection: ₹2,500 crore
- Losses: ₹4,500 crore annually
This unsustainable model has pushed J&K’s debt to alarming levels, leaving little room for developmental initiatives. For a region already grappling with unemployment and economic stagnation, the power crisis is both a symptom and a cause of broader systemic failures.
A Call to Action
The power woes of Jammu and Kashmir are not inevitable; they are the result of decades of neglect, poor governance, and shortsighted policies. The National Conference, in particular, bears significant responsibility for the agreements that handed over J&K’s power resources to NHPC, leaving the state powerless in both a literal and figurative sense. Blaming external factors like the Indus Water Treaty or expecting citizens to endure power cuts is a dereliction of duty.
The onus lies squarely on the political leadership to reclaim J&K’s rightful control over its resources and chart a path toward energy independence. If J&K is to realize its potential as a self-sufficient, prosperous region, its leaders must prioritize the power sector. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust and aspirations of the millions who call J&K home.
An author, a communications strategist, Dr Sanjay Parva was a debut contestant from 28-Beerwah 2024 Assembly Constituency
