Deputy Commissioners of Udhampur and Ramban districts, along with senior district officials, conducted a review meeting on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project in Tanger, Ramban, to assess the progress of the significant 1,800 MW project.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project, a major initiative by NHPC Limited, is slated to become one of the largest hydropower installations in the Jammu and Kashmir region. The delegation was headed by Mohammad Alyas Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, and Minga Sherpa, Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur.
Satnam Singh, the Head of the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project, provided the visiting officials with a comprehensive briefing on the project’s overall development. His presentation included details on key infrastructure components, ongoing dam works, and the status of access tunnels and roads. He also outlined the project’s future trajectory and the necessary regulatory approvals required before the commencement of large-scale construction activities.
According to NHPC, the project’s advancement is contingent upon approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB), followed by clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Following these governmental approvals, tenders for the project are scheduled to be opened, marking a crucial step towards its execution.
During their visit, the officials were provided with a visual overview of the project site through a video tour. A detailed presentation encompassed the project’s potential power generation capacity, extensive tunnel works, the proposed submergence area, current construction-related undertakings, future development blueprints, and the findings of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
District administration officials expressed satisfaction with the progress made and acknowledged the efforts directed towards formally initiating the construction phase of the project. They extended assurances to NHPC of their complete support and cooperation to ensure the project’s timely completion.
The visiting delegation also included Sandeep Divyajyoti Behera, District Forest Officer of Udhampur; Sunil Sharma, District Mining Officer of Udhampur; Shokat Hayat Mattoo, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Collector for the Sawalkote Project; and other officials from the revenue and police departments.
As part of the review visit, the officials participated in a symbolic tree plantation activity. NHPC stated that this initiative underscores its commitment to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and the promotion of sustainable development practices alongside infrastructure projects.
The Chenab Times News Desk