Srinagar, Jan 15: The 624 MW Kiru Hydroelectric Power Project on the Chenab River has been granted, yet another extension with completion now pushed to December 2026, more than three years behind its original schedule, even as costs balloon to Rs 5409 crore from an initial estimate of Rs 4287 crore, according to official documents accessed by Greater Kashmir.

Power Minister Manohar Lal conducted a high-level review of the project in the first week of January, setting the fresh deadline amid concerns over mounting delays that have plagued the strategically important initiative since construction began in February 2020, officials said.

Originally scheduled for commissioning in September 2023, the project underwent its first revision to July 2025 before the latest postponement to the end of 2026, according to the documents.

The delays represent a 39-month slip from initial projections, raising questions about project management and execution challenges in the difficult Himalayan terrain.

The cost escalation of over Rs 1121 crore, a 26 percent increase, has been attributed to geological complexities, adverse weather conditions, and logistical hurdles typical of high-altitude construction in the remote Kishtwar district of the Chenab Valley, project officials told Greater Kashmir.

Despite the setbacks, the documents show 73 percent physical progress has been achieved, with cumulative expenditure reaching Rs 3186.98 crore.

However, the gap between physical completion and financial outlay suggests the most expensive phase – electromechanical installations – still lies ahead.

The run-of-river scheme, being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited – a joint venture between National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (51 percent) and J&K State Power Development Corporation (49 percent) – is designed to generate 2272 million units annually once operational.

The project features a 135-meter concrete gravity dam, an underground powerhouse with four vertical Francis turbines of 156 MW each, and associated infrastructure, including diversion tunnels and pressure shafts.

Located between the Kirthai II and Kwar hydroelectric projects, Kiru forms part of an integrated development plan for the Chenab River basin.

The project is expected to play a vital role in strengthening northern India’s power grid while providing clean, renewable energy.

Its foundation stone was laid in March 2019, following environmental clearance granted in 2016 and the Cabinet approval the same year.

However, the gap between approval and completion continues to widen, a pattern seen across several hydroelectric projects in the region.

Srinagar, Jan 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about the evolving situation in Iran and was assured that all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard the interests of students from the union territory caught in the turmoil there.

India on Wednesday asked all its nationals residing in Iran to leave by available means and avoid any travel to the country as tensions mounted over possible military intervention by the US over Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests that killed over 2500 people.

Abdullah, in a post on his personal X handle, said he spoke to Jaishankar.

“Just spoke to EAM @DrSJaishankar ji about the evolving situation in Iran. He shared his assessment of the ground situation & the plans that the External Affairs Ministry is working on,” he said. “I’m grateful for his assurance that all steps will be taken to safeguard the interests & lives of students & other people from J&K who are in Iran now.”

The parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran have appealed to the Centre to bring their children back amid the ongoing tensions.

Scores of parents also gathered at the Press Enclave here, urging the government to intervene.

According to estimates, a little over 10,000 Indians, including students, are currently living in Iran.

The Indian embassy in Tehran has urged all Indians, including students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists, to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial

It also urged the Indian nationals to have their travel and immigration documents, including passports, readily available.

Indians living in Iran on resident visas were also advised to register with the embassy.

The overall situation in Iran in the last few days has deteriorated dramatically as the death toll from the nationwide protests has increased to over 2500, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Srinagar, Jan 15: The Islamia Higher Secondary School, Rajouri Kadal, functioning under the aegis of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Srinagar, has once again maintained its record of academic excellence with impressive results in the Class 10 and Class 12 Board Examinations.

A statement here said that in the Class 10 examination, 59 students appeared, with 37 securing distinction and 18 obtaining first division. Sania Jan bagged the 4th position, followed by Irtiqa Javed at 6th, Madiha Feroz at 7th, and Bushra Ashraf at 8th position.

“The Class 12 results were equally encouraging, with 111 students appearing in the examination. Of these, 48 secured distinction and 53 achieved first division, while the remaining students also recorded commendable results, underscoring the institution’s consistent academic standards,” the statement said.

Congratulating the achievers, President of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, along with the management and teaching and non-teaching staff, extended best wishes to the successful students and their parents, and prayed for their continued success and a bright future.