Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 11: Jammu and Kashmir Government has taken a historical step to revive the 117-year-old Mohura hydroelectric project in Baramulla district at the cost of Rs 133.50 crores
The J&K’s first and Asia’s second oldest hydroelectric project has been defunct since 1992 when it was hit was devastating floods.
Built on the left bank of river Jhelum at Boniyar in north Kashmir's Baramulla district and commissioned in the year 1905, by the then Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Partap Singh, by hiring the services of Canada-born engineer, Major Alian de Litbniere, the Mahura Hydro electric project was built with unique and rare features, which include 11 km long wooden flume as water conductor. The Mohura hydroelectric project, a run-off river project had an installed capacity of 4 MW, later enhanced to 9 MW. It was the second hydroelectric project in Asia.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Vivek Bhardawaj, while chairing the 81st meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited on Wednesday, announced the government’s decision to revive the heritage project.
The BoDs accorded its approval to the award of the EPC contract for execution of 10.5 MW (2x 5.25 MW) Mohura Heritage Hydro Electric Project, located in tehsil Boniyar, district Baramulla at the estimated cost of about Rs 133.50 crores
The LG Administration is very keen to revive this century-old project and the Board of Directors has approved the implementation of the project today. The project is slated and shall be completed in 42 months.
Vivek Bharadwaj, who is also Chairman of the Board directed that all necessary approvals like forest clearance, MHA clearance, etc for the projects of the corporation should be ensured at the earliest.
Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Nitishwar Kumar directed that the project should be commissioned on time without any delay.
J&K State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) has been looking at reviving the site as a heritage project since the plant became defunct.
The unique and heritage power project of Jammu and Kashmir suffered severe damage in the multiple floods that hit the area from time to time. In 1959, the oldest powerhouse was severely damaged in the flood and was renovated and its capacity was increased to 9 MW in the year 1962 and remained operational till 1992.
The 1992 floods again proved disastrous for the powerhouse and devastated it beyond repair. The successive regimes later showed no interest in reviving this historic hydroelectric project.
In 2018, the then PDP-BJP had announced to revive this project but all announcements remained only on paper.
In 24 hrs, Jammu city records 189.6 mm, highest in 26 years: MeT
Jammu city recorded 189.6 mm of rain in 24 hours, the highest downpour in a day in almost 26 years, causing landslides and flash floods, meteorological department officials said on Thursday.
Jammu city recorded 189.6 mm of rain in 24 hours, the highest downpour in a day in almost 26 years, causing landslides and flash floods, meteorological department officials said on Thursday.
There were flash floods in most of the rivers, including Tawi and Chenab, which inundated low-lying areas and damaged infrastructure.
Two landslides were reported -- in Panjirthi and Circular Road -- causing damage to the road, a building, and some vehicles, the officials said.
The flash floods damaged small bridges in Kalika Colony, and washed out a wall of Satsang Garh, a spiritual center, and a vehicle in Bantalab, they said.
Hundreds of houses in several colonies in low-lying areas were inundated and traffic came to a halt due to water-logging, prompting the district administration to sound a flood alert, they said.
According to the MeT department, this is the highest 24-hour rainfall in August for Jammu city since 1996. The city recorded 218.4 mm of rainfall on August 23, 1996.
The all-time highest rainfall, 228.6 mm, in Jammu city was recorded on August 5, 1926, it said.
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic due to landslides and mudslides, triggered by heavy rains in Ramban.
Reasi received 152.5 mm in 24 hours, followed by Udhampur (121.6 mm) and Samba (105 mm), the officials said.
Katra town, which serves as the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi temple in the Reasi district, recorded a 77.8 mm rainfall in 24 hours, they said.
Burmal in Kathua received 77.5 mm rainfall.
At 11 am, river Tawi -- its gauge being monitored near Bikram Chowk -- was flowing at 9.5 feet, 4.5 feet below the 'alert level'.
At the same time at Salmay Bridge in Udhampur, it was flowing at 8.2 feet, 6.56 ft below the alert level, they said.
Water in river Chenab at Akhnoor was at 26.4 feet. The alert level for the site is 32 feet, they said. |
