The Hindu : National : Baglihar to go operational in June: Azad

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Monday, Dec 24, 2007
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Baglihar to go operational in June: Azad

Luv Puri

He says the project had picked up pace over the past one year, with work going on round-the-clock

RAMBAN: The prestigious 450 MW first phase of Baglihar Hydel Power Project would become operational by June next.

This important announcement was made by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, here on Sunday.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Azad said that the work on the project had picked up pace during the past over one year and was being executed round-the-clock.

The Chief Minister inspected work on the dam and power house.

Briefing

He was briefed by the executing authorities on the status of various components of the project. He also interacted with engineers and other manpower engaged in the construction of the project. The Baglihar Hydel Power Project is the biggest electricity generating project coming up in the State.

Dispute

The Baglihar dam’s construction had become an international dispute between India and Pakistan.

In February this year, a World Bank-appointed neutral expert had held that India had not violated the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960.

However, the dam could be completed with slight modifications in design and without any impact on the power component.

The pace of work on the project had also slowed down in the past, breaking the target date of its completion.

Call to expedite project

However, Mr. Azad after taking over as Chief Minister personally monitored the execution of the prestigious project and visited the site several times.

He made it clear to the executing agency that the project should be completed without further delay as the State was badly in need of power. Sunday’s visit to the project site was part of his effort to expedite the completion of the project.

The Minister for Power, Nawang Rigzin Jora, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

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