Indus Water Treaty holds back J&K’s power potential: CM Omar Abdullah

New Delhi, Nov 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday highlighted the implications of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) on river-rich Jammu and Kashmir, which restricts its ability to harness its huge hydel power potential, primarily due to storage constraints.

He said that as a fallout of the treaty barriers, J&K pays a heavy price in peak winter months when power generation hits low, creating hardships for its people.

The CM, who also holds the charge of portfolio of power, was speaking during the conference of power ministers of states and union territories in New Delhi.

Speaking at the conference, he highlighted the limiting clauses in the Indus Water Treaty that restrict J&K from realising its full hydel potential by only permitting run-of-the-river projects.

“Hydel power is J&K’s only viable energy source. The region is compelled to rely on power imports from other states, which adversely impacts its economy. To address this, J&K would require special compensation from the Government of India, including viability gap funding and equity assistance, to harness its untapped hydro-energy potential,” CM Omar said.

He said that the support would not only help in meeting the region’s energy needs but also contribute to national clean energy goals.

The CM also sought the Centre’s intervention in holding Central Public Sector Undertakings like PESL and National Thermal Power Corporation accountable for fast-tracking loss reduction works under the premier Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme in J&K.

He also requested the power ministry to consider gap funding for the implementation of electric infra works under RDSS.

During the session on solar power potential and green energy, the CM dwelled upon the solar power energy being generated in Ladakh and said that J&K would like to procure the extra energy Ladakh is able to generate.

He arrived in New Delhi on Monday evening to participate in the conference of power ministers of states and union territories at the India International Convention and Expo Centre Dwarka.

CM Omar stayed for the entire day, participated in all technical sessions, and put forth the viewpoint of the J&K government during the conference.

Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal, chaired the conference, which was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Power, J&K, H Rajesh Prasad, and Managing Directors of J&K Discoms as part of the J&K delegation.

Union Minister of State for Power, Shripad Yesso Naik, was also present in the conference which was attended by power ministers and senior government functionaries from all over the country.