Kishtwar’s Rs 22,535 Cr hydropower projects declared ‘high risk’

Srinagar, Sep 1: A comprehensive risk assessment has declared four multi-crore hydroelectric projects in Kishtwar district as “high risk” due to the growing threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), putting lives, infrastructure, and investments worth tens of thousands of crores of rupees at stake.

The GLOF Management Plan for Kishtwar 2024-25 warns that the tehsils of Padder, Machail, Dachhan, Marwah, and Warwan face the greatest danger because of their proximity to Himalayan glacial lakes.

A sudden breach could unleash flash floods that would devastate mountain villages, wash away bridges and roads, and cause irreparable damage to the fragile ecosystem of the Chenab Valley.

At the centre of concern are four flagship projects of Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL) - Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Dangduru.

“Rising water levels or potential dam breaches could threaten project infrastructure, disrupt operations, and increase downstream flood risk,” the report said

Collectively, these projects aim to transform J&K into an energy hub, while contributing to India’s clean power transition.

But the latest study suggests their very location has exposed them to climate-induced risks.

According to official estimates, the cumulative sanctioned cost of the three projects with available data – Pakal Dul, Kiru, and Kwar - exceeds Rs 22,535 crore.

Pakal Dul, the largest of the lot, carries a price tag of Rs 12,669.67 crore and involves constructing India’s tallest concrete-face rockfill dam on the Indus system.

Kiru, estimated at around Rs 5300 crore, is a 624 MW run-of-the-river project slated for commissioning in mid-2025.

The Kwar project, with a sanctioned cost of Rs 4526 crore, will add 540 MW of capacity and generate nearly 1975 million units of electricity annually.

The Dangduru project, still in the planning stages, has no official cost released so far.

“These projects are the backbone of our future power generation in Jammu and Kashmir, but their location in a fragile Himalayan zone makes them extremely vulnerable,” said a senior official in the J&K Power Development Department (PDD). “We are working on mitigation measures, including glacial monitoring, early warning systems, and strengthening of dam safety mechanisms, so that risks can be minimised without compromising energy security.”

The risk assessment comes against the backdrop of increasingly erratic weather patterns in the Jammu division, where incessant rains and flash floods have caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, crops, and private property. In several districts, roads have caved in, bridges collapsed, and villages have remained cut off for weeks during heavy downpours.

Experts say such incidents are only a preview of what GLOFs could trigger in high-altitude valleys like Kishtwar.

A single glacial lake breach, they warn, could unleash water volumes far greater than seasonal monsoon flooding, overwhelming both natural and man-made defences downstream.

The Chenab Valley projects are considered critical for addressing India’s growing electricity demand and meeting renewable energy targets.

They promise not just clean energy but also local jobs, infrastructure development, and economic growth in remote areas.

Yet, environmentalists argue that unchecked construction in such an ecologically fragile zone could amplify disaster risks.

The report itself highlights that a dam breach or uncontrolled flood wave would not only damage project sites but also endanger downstream towns and threaten livelihoods across wide swathes of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Climate change is no longer a distant concern; it is already reshaping the risk landscape of Himalayan projects,” a hydropower engineer said. “What we need is not just infrastructure but also resilience – early warning systems, evacuation plans, and community-level preparedness.”