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| Ray of light after 25 years | | With cost escalation of Rs 5045, finally Dul Hasti is reality | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Apr 26
It is better later than never. Though Jammu and Kashmir gets little out of it, but the Dul Hasti power project is finally in the business 25 years after work was initiated on it.
It had taken the Dul Hasti power project full 25 years when the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today dedicated this 390 Mega watt hydro-electric power station in Kishtwar to the nation.
The foundation stone of this Project was laid by the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi way back in 1983. The three turbine 130 MW project started commercial generation of electricity from March 31, 2007. The Project was sanctioned at a cost of Rs.183 crores in 1983 but till now Rs. 5228 crores have been spent on the project. Besides providing cheap power, the project also provides jobs to over 300 local youth.
Referring to the inordinate delay in the completion of the Dul Hasti project, the Prime Minister said that development projects must be executed within the timeframe. He called for capacity building for timely completion of projects. He said delay in completion of projects resulted in cost escalation. He stressed on doing away with the casual approach of 'chalta hai' with which, he said, the country's current economic growth rate could not be maintained. He said this would also come in the way of taking the State to the pinnacle of development. He asked people to work with greater dedication to ensure the development of the State and the country.
The Prime Minister said the State had potential for producing 14,000 MW of power out of which only 1865 MW had been harnessed. The harnessing of the untapped 90% power potential would change the economic profile of the State, he added. He said power was crucial for the industry as it attracts investment which opens employment opportunities for the youth. He said since the last four years the State and the central governments had been working together for socio-economic development of J&K. He said all sections of the State had been empowered and measures taken for their welfare.
Union Power Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, who was also present on the occasion said that although J&K State is entitled to 12 percent royalty on the power generated by the Project on the River Chenab, but for this Project J&K Government will get additional one percent royalty on the power generated. He further stated that in future whenever power projects are to be set up in the State, the Power Ministry will depute its men for opening ITIs in such locations so as to train local people so that more and more people are able to get employment in such power projects. |
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