Jammu, April 02: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary on Thursday called for the return of hydropower projects from NHPC Ltd to Jammu and Kashmir, stating that control over local water resources should rest with the people of the Union Territory.
Chowdhary while talking to reporters, said Jammu and Kashmir continues to bear a financial burden by purchasing electricity despite having significant hydropower potential.
“Water resources are ours, everything is ours, and still we are forced to buy power,” he said, emphasizing the need for greater control over local projects.
The remarks come amid a growing political debate over ownership and benefits of hydropower assets in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly as new projects continue to be developed under central agencies.
Chowdhary said that while there is a general consensus that Jammu and Kashmir should become self-sufficient in power generation, the current model has not achieved that goal.
“Everyone says J&K should be self-sufficient. Unfortunately, despite our projects, we still have to buy power. If you see how much we spend on purchasing electricity, you will be surprised,” he added.
Earlier, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Parra criticized the government for handing over two hydropower projects to NHPC Ltd.
Parra said the 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II and 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II projects, with a combined capacity of 500 MW, had been transferred to NHPC, raising concerns over limited local benefits and long-term control.
He had questioned the power-sharing arrangement and the broader implications for Jammu and Kashmir’s energy autonomy. [KNT]
