Srinagar, Jan 8: In a significant development, a Government of India panel on transmission planning in northern India has approved construction of alternative power corridor to Kashmir valley from Northern Grid through Mughal road to avert breakdown during harsh weather conditions.
 The Standing Committee of Central Electricity Authority on Transmission Planning in Northern Region approved the construction of 400 KV line from the Northern Grid during a meeting in New Delhi last week, said Development Commissioner Power, Manzoor Ahmad Salroo.
 The alternative power line would feed under-construction Samba 400/220 KV station and the same line would connect Kashmir with the grid via Samba-Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch-Mughal Road and terminate at upcoming power station at Delina.
 Jammu and Kashmir imports around 1500 MW electricity from Northern grid to meet the local energy demand while as the state-owned Power Development Corporation (PDC) generates 758 MW energy from its 21 hydropower projects including 450-MW Baghliar-I.
 J&K’s Power Development Department (PDD) had moved the proposal before the Northern Regional Power Committee in view of the frequent snapping of existing transmission line which runs through mountainous Pir Panchal range, connecting Kashmir valley with NG.
 In March 2012, PDD, following snapping of the line for three consecutive days due to heavy snowfall in January, had moved the proposal.
 The committee had recommended to PDD to approach Standing Committee of CEA on Transmission Planning of Northern Region for exploring alternate power corridor.
 The committee had independently set up a task force to examine the JK Power Development Department’s proposal and suggest on evacuation of the energy from the upcoming hydropower projects on Chenab basin including 2120 MW worth three power projects- Pakal Dul, Kiru, and Kawar.
 In its report the task force had supported the state’s demand for alternative link along with recommendations for evacuation of the power supply from the upcoming power projects on the Chenab basin.
 Salroo said the alternative power link from Northern Grid would address the outage problem faced by the Valley due to snowfall in Pir Panchal range which results in snapping of transmission lines.
 He said it would also cater to the growing growth on power load in the Valley.
 Salroo said the committee also approved construction of Gas insulated (3x315 MVA) power substation at Delina where another (220 KV/132KV/33KV) station is under construction.
 At present three power lines- 400 KV Kishenpur-Wagoora, 220 Kishenpur-Pampore and 132 KV Udhampur-Batote-Ramban-Srinagar connect Kashmir with Northern Grid.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST