The Hindu : National : Baglihar project commissioned

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Baglihar project commissioned

Shujaat Bukhari

“Constructed within the parameters of Indus Water Treaty”
Centre keen on overall development of J&K

SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday appealed to Pakistan to work jointly to address the problems faced by the people of the two countries.

He said the Baglihar power project had been constructed within the parameters of the Indus Water Treaty.

Inaugurating the 450 MW Baglihar power project at Chanderkote in Ramban district of Jammu region, Dr. Singh said India and Pakistan should learn to help each other. Referring to Pakistan’s objection on the Baglihar project, he said, “We have acted as per the treaty concerning Baglihar.”

“We have decided to fully act on the treaty and India and Pakistan should use water as per the requirement. Therefore, we have taken special care while setting up the project,” he said. “This has been done to address the concerns of the neighbouring country so that they have no grievances.”

He said his government would extend all support for overall development of the State. The first unit of 150 MW started generation of power from Friday. The other two units of 150 MW each would begin commercial generation of electricity within a month.

With the commissioning of this project, the State’s power generation would reach 759 MW. Its dependence on the Central sector would be reduced to a great extent.

The Prime Minister said the UPA government had given special thrust to infrastructure building in the State during the last five years.

He said more grants and funds would be sanctioned for roads, power connectivity, health, education and horticulture development.

The Baglihar Project was built by the State with Central assistance under the J&K Construction Plan. Built at a cost of Rs. 5,200 crore over the Chenab, the project would generate 450 MW worth Rs. 800 crore a year. With complete commercial generation of power from this project, the power purchase bill of Jammu & Kashmir would get reduced by Rs. 400 crore a year.

MoU signed

Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the J&K government with the State Power Development Corporation, NHPC and Power Trading Corporation (PTC) for the execution of Pakal-Dol and other hydro electric projects through joint venture in the State at Chanderkote.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh and other senior officials.

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