Karnah Hydropower Project nears completion, set to light up by November

Srinagar, July 7: After years of delays and disruptions, the Karnah Hydropower Project in North Kashmir's Kupwara district is now scheduled for completion by November 2025, officials have confirmed.

With physical progress reaching 74.75% as of May 30, the 12-Megawatt project is part of Jammu and Kashmir’s broader strategy to harness its untapped hydropower potential and improve energy access in remote areas.

Despite suffering major setbacks earlier this year—including a cloudburst in May and torrential rains in February that damaged infrastructure and blocked access roads—construction has resumed and is being expedited, officials informed.

The project is being implemented by the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDCL) and is seen as critical for the energy-starved Karnah valley, which remains cut off for much of the winter.

A senior JKSPDCL official said, “We are on track to complete the Karnah project by November. This is a strategically important project for the border region and part of the larger vision to make J&K energy self-reliant.”

Jammu and Kashmir possesses an estimated hydropower potential of around 18,000 Megawatts, out of which approximately 15,000 MW has already been identified. Currently, 3,540.15 MW has been harnessed—1,197.4 MW by the UT sector, 2,250 MW by the Central sector through NHPC Ltd., and 92.75 MW by Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

To expedite development, the Union Territory administration has initiated an ambitious expansion, with 15 hydropower projects totalling 7,768 MW at various stages of implementation. Of these, 3,063.5 MW are under construction—49.5 MW in the UT sector and 3,014 MW in the Joint Venture (JV) sector.

Other projects under active construction include the Parnai HEP (37.5 MW), which has achieved 64% progress and is expected to be completed by December 2027. The Pakaldul HEP (1,000 MW) under the JV sector has reached 70% progress and is scheduled for completion by December 2026. Kiru HEP (624 MW) is at 64% progress, also aiming for a December 2026 commissioning. The Kwar HEP (540 MW) has recorded 22.15% progress and is expected to be completed by March 2028.

The Ratle HEP (850 MW), one of the largest ongoing projects under the JV sector (RHPCL), has made notable excavation progress—81% of the powerhouse and transformer cavern, 100% of the dam abutment, and 95% of the tailrace tunnel (TRT). It is expected to be commissioned by August 2029.

In addition to these, projects at the tendering or award stage account for 641 MW—141 MW in the UT sector and 500 MW in the Central sector. Projects at an advanced stage of investigation or ready for tendering total 4,063.5 MW, including 390 MW in the UT sector, 2,743.5 MW with NHPC, and 930 MW in the JV sector.

Upcoming projects in the pipeline include Sawalkote (1,856 MW), Kirthai-II (930 MW), Dulhasti-II (260 MW), Uri-I Stage-II (240 MW), Kirthai-I (390 MW), Bursar Storage (800 MW), and the Ujh Multipurpose project (89.5 MW). Projects already tendered include the New Ganderbal (93 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW).

Officials stress that these initiatives are aimed at turning Jammu and Kashmir into a hydropower-driven economic hub. The focus is not just on generation but on providing round-the-clock, reliable power, especially in remote and underserved areas like Karnah.

Locals in the Karnah valley, who have long suffered from power cuts and unreliable supply, hope the new deadline holds. Ghulam Nabi Lone, a resident of Meelyal, said, “We’ve heard many deadlines before, but this time we’re hoping it’s real. Reliable electricity will finally bring us out of darkness.”

With the administration pushing for accelerated infrastructure development and energy security, the successful commissioning of the Karnah project by November could become a symbol of resilience and long-awaited progress in Jammu and Kashmir’s border districts.