Prime Minister Modi inaugurates power projects in Leh

Modi, who is the first PM to visit Leh after the Kargil war, is dedicating to the nation  two hydel power projects in Leh and Kargil in Jammu & Kashmir.

These projects are the 44 MW Chutak hydroelectric project in Kargil district and the 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo project in Leh district.

Modi thus also laid the foundation of the first power transmission line from Leh to Kargil and Kargil to Srinagar. After Leh he will visit Kargil.

"There was a time when PMs never visited this state. I have come here two times already. Your affection draws me here," he said at Leh.

"I know the problems people face and most importantly I know the strength of this land," said Modi.

He said: "I am fortunate to have worked for the Party Organisation in Jammu & Kashmir. I used to visit the state often."

"We have put Leh at the focus of our solar energy initiatives," said Modi.

"Development must be such that it positively transforms the lives of the common people," said Modi.

"We are going to fulfil the dream of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee," he said.

The 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo Hydro electric Project is a Run of the River scheme to harness the potential of river Indus in Leh district of Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. The project is designed to generate 239 MUs of energy.
        
The Nimoo-Bazgo power station is located on river Indus in Leh district of Ladakh region of Jammu &Kashmir. The Power station comprises of a 57m high concrete gravity dam, 3  intake structures on the power dam portion on right bank for diversion of water through 3.3 m diameter steel penstock of about 55.0 m long, a surface power house located at the toe of the dam on right bank and a short tailrace channel.  The power house has an installed capacity of 45 MW (3 x 15 MW).

The 44 MW Chutak hydroelectric Project is located in Kargil District of Jammu & Kashmir. Barrage site is located about 14 km upstream of Kargil near village Sarzhe. The project is a run-off-river scheme on the river Suru, to generate 216 MU in a 90% dependable year having installed capacity of 44 MW (4 x 11 MW) utlising a rated head of 52m developed by construction of a 15.0 m high barrage and through 4780 m long 5.9M dia horse shoe shaped Head race tunnel. 

The Power Grid Corporation of India, the central transmission utility under Ministry of Power, Government of India, is implementing the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar Transmission System for connectivity of Leh/ Kargil area in Ladakh  with Northern Region Grid at 220kV level for meeting demands of the Ladakh region.

Leh-Kargil-Srinagar Transmission System includes 375 km Transmission line at 220kV voltage level from Alistong (Srinagar) to Leh via Kargil with four 220/33kV Sub-stations at Drass, Kargil, Leh and Khalsti. This transmission system shall be able to facilitate availability of power of about 100-150 MW in the Ladakh region.

Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, of about 56,000 sq km area, comprising of Leh and Kargil districts, covers about 70% of the total area of Jammu and Kashmir region and is one of the highest inhabitation in the world with an elevation of 2400m to 4500m above sea level.

The difficult terrain has left Ladakh region isolated with no electrical connectivity with the rest of the National power grid. The power demand of the area is met by some local small micro Hydel (14 MW) and diesel generators (12 MW). The region is experiencing an energy shortage of about 95%.This transmission system shall be able to feed about 100-150 MW to Ladakh Region.

PM Narendra Modi had last month inaugurated the 240-Megawatt Uri-II Hydro Electric Project (HEP) located near the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district of Kashmir.