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| Azad joins victory procession at site | | People of J&K real beneficiaries: CM | | Jammu, February 13
Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad accompanied by Minister for Power Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today visited prestigious Baglihar hydel project. It was an atmosphere of jubilation and celebration around the project site.
Chief Minister was warmly received with slogans of victory and triumph. Thousands of people were waiting for Chief Minister at the project site. Immediately when Mr. Azad reached there, the entire atmosphere echoed with pro-Azad slogans who played his vital and significant role in presenting the case of Baglihar project through proper channel before the expert appointed by the World Bank. With the announcement of the award, all the 6000 persons working in different capacities on the project felt new sense of confidence and their faces were glittering with joy and ecstasy. All thronged around Mr. Azad and Mr. Jora and expressed their determination to complete the project with new zeal and gusto.
Chief Minister visited all parts of project. He went to the dam site and tunnel site, machine hall and other vital sections of the project.
Chief Resident Engineer Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Mr. Boris Lazaric briefed Chief Minister about various technical components of the project and their utilities. The project has been designed in such a fashion that entire site gives panoramic view of beauty. Mr. Boris informed Chief Minister that the dam of Baglihar project is the world’s fourth highest dam.
Chief Minister felicitated all working engineers and experts that it is a matter of great honour that world renowned experts have vouchsafed the design of the project and cleared the same.
The Baglihar project with a total capacity of 900 MW is required to be completed in two phases. The first phase of the project with a capacity of 450 MW is under execution since January 2000. Since inception of the project, Pakistan government raised some objections about the project particularly with regard to height of dam, Gated spillway, height of power intake source and pondage. For long time, the issues were negotiated between India and Pakistan bilaterally and a series of meetings were held. However, these negotiations could not work and ultimately the issue was referred to expert to be appointed by the World Bank so that their award is acceptable to both countries. During past two years, expert and other representatives visited Baglihar project site on a number of occasions. They also met concerned experts of both countries to sort out the issue and reach to final conclusions. In November 2006, the World Bank expert issued draft determination and served same to India and Pakistan.
The final award was given yesterday on 12th February in which they have asked to reduce height of dam by 1.5 meter and raise the height of power intake source by 3 meters. Other all components of the design of the project were accordingly cleared.
Pakistan’s objection about Gated spillway was over-ruled. Similarly, Pakistan’s objection against pondage was also not accepted.
Chief Minister while talking to mediamen at Baglihar project expressed his real happiness for the award given by the World Bank which has enabled Jammu and Kashmir government to continue with the work on the project. He said that he has advised project authorities to complete first phase of the project with 450 MW capacity by ending this year. He said this is the first flagship hydel project which belongs to Jammu and Kashmir state. He said that it is a win-win situation for both India and Pakistan but at the same time Jammu and Kashmir is the real beneficiary which can use this power and also sell the same.
Chief Minister said that clearance of this project by world’s highest body and its expert has given us new confidence to work on such projects and tap state’s vast hydropower potential for the benefit of the state without harming anybody’s interest.
He further said that the 12th February award shall prove a new landmark in our zest for tapping hydro treasure in future. He advised the project authorities not to delay now even a second and work for completion of second phase of the project also.
Chief Minister said that this power shall be real asset of the state which can utilize it and also sell it accordingly. |
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