Jammu: Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Monday reviewed the progress of 1,000-MW Pakal Dul, 624-Kiru and 540-MW Kwar power stations in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, according to officials.
Lal began his two-day tour of the Union Territory by reviewing the progress of the 690-MW Salal Hydroelectric project in Reasi district and directed NHPC to expedite the sediment removal operations of the Salal reservoir.
Salal Power Station, located on the Chenab River in Reasi district, is undertaking sediment removal works, following the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) last year, to remove accumulated silt and maximise optimal utilisation of water resources.
Enroute to Kishtwar, the minister conducted an aerial inspection of the 1,856-MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project in Ramban district before arriving at the 390-MW Dulhasti power station.
He also visited the Ratle Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar, where he laid the foundation stone for dam concreting works and encouraged the project team to complete works in an effective and time-bound manner.
In a post on X in Hindi, Lal said he inspected the Pakal Dul Power Station on the second day of his Jammu and Kashmir tour.
“During the inspection, an in-depth observation and detailed review of the power station’s operational status, safety arrangements, production capacity, and technical activities was carried out in the company of senior officials.
“As one of the ambitious energy infrastructure projects in the region, the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project will play an important role in the all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir in the times to come,” the minister said.
Lal concluded his two-day tour with an inspection of all three projects of Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP), namely Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar, and held a review meeting with the project heads and contractors.
NHPC briefed the minister in detail on various aspects of the three under-construction projects, following which the minister issued directions to commission the Pakal Dul and Kiru projects by December 2026 and the Kwar project by March 2028, an official spokesman said.
The minister also interacted with local residents and workers at various work sites and patiently listened to their issues during his two-day tour. After reviewing all the projects, the minister appreciated the personnel and workers for working under challenging conditions.
Lal, along with Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), undertook a sapling plantation drive at the project sites, the officials added.
