The Hindu : National : Jammu and Kashmir is real beneficiary: Azad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
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National

National

Jammu and Kashmir is real beneficiary: Azad

Staff Reporter

"Baglihar award will prove to be a landmark in our zest to tap hydro treasure"

— Photo: PTI

PROUD MOMENT: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at the Baglihar hydel project dam site, in Doda on Tuesday.

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said clearance of the Baglihar project by the World Bank-appointed neutral expert has given new confidence to work on such projects and tap the State's vast hydropower potential without harming anybody's interest.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Azad said: "It is a win-win situation for both India and Pakistan. At the same time, Jammu and Kashmir is the real beneficiary, as it can use this power and sell it too. I have advised the project authorities to complete the first phase of the Baglihar project with 450 MW capacity by the year-end."

He said: "The February 12 award would prove to be a new landmark in our zest to tap hydro treasure in future."

The Chief Minister advised the project authorities to expedite work on the second phase too.

Accompanied by State Minister for Power Nawang Rigzin Jora, Mr. Azad visited the Baglihar project site. He was received by thousands of people chanting victory slogans.

Chief Resident Engineer of the Baglihar project Boris Lazaric briefed Mr. Azad about the technical components of the project.

He said the dam of Baglihar project was the world's fourth highest dam.

Mr. Azad felicitated engineers and experts. He said it was a great honour that experts had endorsed the project design.

The Baglihar project, with a total capacity of 900 MW, must be completed in two phases. The first phase, with a capacity of 450 MW, has been under execution since January 2000. Since inception, Pakistan had raised objections vis-à-vis to the dam height, gated spillway, height of power intake source and pondage.

The former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, welcoming the Baglihar award, said work on the project should be speeded up to complete it within the stipulated time.

With the functioning of the project, the power position in the State would improve.

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