LEH: The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited has approved and sanctioned a project for Rs. 198.08 crores for electrification of Leh district. Out of the Rs.198 crores, Rs. 38 crores will be sent on scheme for rural electricity infrastructure and rural household electrification for 6909 rural household in Leh district and the rest Rs 160 crores will be spent on laying 66 KV transmission line and erecting power station from Dha to Hemya to enable transmission of electricity from Alchi project to various villages of Leh district.

A girl cheers up amidst the gathered crowd at the public rally addressed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at Kishtwar A A girl cheers up amidst the gathered crowd at the public rally addressed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at Kishtwar on Saturday after inaugurating the hydel project. A Tribune photo Kishtwar, April 26

India's largest engineering and construction conglomerate L&T and state-owned National Hydro Power Corporation are working on forming a joint venture, even as the public sector firm received

KUPWARA: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has asked the National Conference (NC) Patron Dr Farooq Abdullah to make clear to the people why he illogically bartered the state's water resources with the Center for a worthless 12 percent royalty in 2000.

After Pakistan's move to put up a 969 MW hydro power project across the Jhelum, the Central government has decided to revive the almost defunct 18-year-old 330 MW Kishen Ganga hydro power project on the same river in the Kashmir valley.

The Central government is scrutinising the steep escalation costs of 330-MW Kishenganga power project. The project proposed on a tributary of river Jhelum in Gurez Valley is proving to be a non-starter due to 68 per cent cost escalation. While modifying the design of the project by reducing storage, Union Cabinet had approved the project at the cost of Rs. 2238 crore in July 2007. But, even after eight months since the Cabinet approval the major works could not be awarded due to high price bids.

KISHTWAR: Public Social Welfare Association of district Kistwar has demanded the start of work at Pakal-Dul, Bursar, Kiru, Kawar Retle, Shomno Kartho Padder Hydroelectric Power Projects (NHPC) immediately. As per a press release, the meeting was held under the leadership of its district president Ajeet Bhagat, urged the Union Power Minster to start the work at the said side because this project would also not only provide needed power besides it would also generate employment for the local youth.

KISHTWAR: Residents of Kishtwar have demanded naming the Dul Hasti power project after Om Mehta, prominent congress leader. Terming Mehta involvement in the project right from the beginning and was instrumental in getting the power project of 390 MW capacity sanctioned by the cabinet. The hydel project was to cost Rs 3400 crores. Due to the interruptions its present cost is estimated to be Rs 4500 crores. The plant will generate 390 MW of electricity and provide employment to a large number of local people. It has been constructed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

Planning Commission Member Kirit S Parikh today suggested the Arunachal Pradesh Government to go for storage projects in the State instead of run of river projects. For utilizing huge power potential of Arunachal Pradesh optimally, storage projects should be favoured instead of run of the river Projects, wherever possible, he commented during a high level meeting with Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu here.