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SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today underscored the need for Jammu & Kashmir to reduce its power losses and then focus on harnessing its vast hydropower potential to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s economy.
Addressing the gathering at the 58th Engineers’ Day at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the Chief Minister said that electricity generation and efficient distribution hold the key to economic prosperity in J&K. The event was held to honour the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya for his pioneering contribution to engineering in India.
Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, President All India Power Engineers’ Federation Shailendra Kumar Dubey, President J&K Electrical Engineering Graduates Association (JKEEGA) Pirzada Hidayatullah and General Secretary JKEEGA Sachin Tickoo also addressed the gathering. Managing Directors of Kashmir Power Distribution Limited and J&K Power Transmission Corporation Limited, besides senior engineers were also present on the occasion.
Emphasizing the critical role of the power sector, Omar Abdullah said, “This is the only way to change the financial situation of Jammu and Kashmir. We should generate electricity and sell it to other regions, especially when their production is low. But to achieve this, we must first bring down losses in the power sector.”
Highlighting the challenges of hydropower vis-à-vis renewable energy, he said, “The installed cost of hydroelectricity is very high, though the per-unit cost reduces over time. With solar power now available at Rs. 2 to Rs. 2.5 per unit, competing becomes difficult. But hydropower remains our only viable resource, and we must continue developing projects alongside improving efficiency.”
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that tariff rationalisation should be guided by people’s capacity to pay, ensuring that the rich contribute more while the poor pay less. He assured the engineers that their demands and suggestions would be taken up in earnest, adding that by next Engineers’ Day, “there should be no need for you to repeat the same demands.”
Explaining his decision to personally retain the Power portfolio, Omar Abdullah said, “I chose to hold this department because if we really want to make J&K prosperous, the most important sector is the Power Development Department. I request you to maintain the momentum in reducing losses and improving efficiency.”
The Chief Minister lauded landmark hydropower initiatives like the Baglihar project, which transformed J&K’s power scenario despite challenges, including lack of counter guarantees.
Dispelling speculation about privatisation of power, Omar Abdullah categorically stated, “We are not talking about privatisation. If we reduce our losses, improve billing efficiency and enhance revenue generation, there will be no need for it. My vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector in J&K.”
