The Impressive TimesSrinagar, June 12 –Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive review of the power and urban development sectors in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir during a high-level meeting in Srinagar.
The review meeting was attended by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, Advisor to CM Shri Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary of the UT, senior officials from the Government of India, UT administration, representatives of state power utilities, and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
Shri Manohar Lal emphasized that the UT has immense hydroelectric potential and called upon the administration to fully harness it through timely execution of ongoing projects and by resolving issues faced by entities like NHPC. He recommended that the UT consider waiving off the water cess levied on hydro projects to help reduce electricity costs for consumers.
In a major move toward improving service delivery, he instructed that prepaid smart meters be installed across all government establishments and colonies by August 2025. He also urged the administration to simplify electricity connection charges to enhance ease of living for citizens and advised full implementation of works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
The Minister highlighted the importance of skill development and local capacity building for hydroelectric projects, suggesting stronger coordination between the Ministry of Power and UT authorities. He praised the UT’s efforts in narrowing the gap between power purchase costs and revenue realization and encouraged planning in alignment with a Resource Adequacy Plan to ensure long-term energy sustainability.
In his address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the Union Minister’s support and sought further assistance from the Centre for upgrading the power transmission and distribution network in the UT.
During his visit, Shri Manohar Lal also inaugurated several key infrastructure projects, including the augmentation of grid stations at Awantipora, Wanpoh, Amargarh, Magam, and Kulgam. These upgrades aim to significantly enhance power supply reliability and cater to growing electricity demand in the region.
The Union Minister reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to the development of Jammu & Kashmir and assured continued support for infrastructure advancement and better quality of life for its citizens.
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