Harnessing Hydro: J&K's Path to Power Independence

Jammu and Kashmir is poised to become a powerhouse in hydropower generation. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah revealed plans to elevate the Union Territory's generation capacity from the current 3,000-3,500 MW to nearly 7,000 MW in coming years.

Abdullah stressed the importance of completing detailed project reports for the untapped 11,000 MW potential, highlighting that these efforts could reduce dependency on central government assistance. Strengthening the power distribution network is also key, particularly under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, which has seen varied success across districts.

While some districts are advancing well, others lag behind, prompting Abdullah to take personal oversight. On the financial front, Abdullah reiterated the significance of metering and transparent billing, alongside debunking privatization concerns, ensuring government support for financially weaker consumers.