JJ CORRESPONDENT
Srinagar, Oct 15: Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R K Singh on Friday visited Gurez in Bandipora district of Kashmir and inspected the Dam site of Kishenganga Hydroelectric Power Project (KGHEPP).
The minister is on a two-day visit to the Union Territory as part of the central government’s Public Outreach Initiative.
The minister on his arrival at the dam site in Gurez, was presented guard of honour by the Central Industries Security Forces (CISF) personnel who are guarding the dam site.
During his visit to the 330MW KGHEPP, the Minister reviewed the generation capacity of the project besides assessing its other relevant aspects. He interacted with the officers who apprised the minister about the power generation capacity, working, implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and other related issues.
Mr Singh reiterated that the central government is committed to improving the power scenario of Jammu and Kashmir as the development of the place is high on the agenda of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said a lot of schemes have been introduced to improve the overall efficiency of the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir and they have set a target to provide electricity connection to every household in the Union Territory.
The Union Minister said the government has taken commendable initiatives to harness hydroelectric power generation in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the KGHEPP has helped in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the people as it offered jobs to a number of local people besides helping in resolving power crisis of the UT.
Mr Singh, during interaction with a delegation of the people of Gurez valley, was apprised about various public issues. The locals raised the demands with regard to absence of regular power supply in the Gurez valley, pending compensation, implementation of CSR and other related issues.
The Minister gave patient hearing to the delegations and assured positive response from the government with regard to their demands.
The Minister was accompanied by Principal Secretary, PDD, Rohit Kansal, NHPC CMD Abhay Kumar Singh and Union Additional Secretary Power S K G Rahate. UNI
