Governor N N Vohra has directed the Power Development Department to take all necessary steps to ensure timely implementation of various projects included under PM’s Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan 2015 in Mission mode. The Governor was chairing a meeting at Raj Bhavan which was attended by Shri B.R. Sharma, Chief Secretary; Shri P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor; Shri Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner, Power Development Department and Shri Navin K. Choudhary, Commissioner, Finance Department.Governor was informed that Rs. 2000 crore have been provided for preparation of DPRs and commissioning of small hydro projects. Governor directed that Commissioner, PDD should urgently finalise an Action Plan for executing these projects. It was also informed that about Rs. 4000 crore have been provided for augmentation of the Distribution System in the State, including special assistance to Capital Cities and 4 Industrial Estates namely Khanmoh, Lassipora, Samba and Kathua.
Special Assistance has also been earmarked for Tourist Destinations, Heritage Sites and important places of pilgrimage at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Patnitop, Katra and upgradation of power infrastructure and illumination of Shrines and also for construction of 5 Smart Grids at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Katra, Bari Brahmana, Rangret and Leh.Governor was also informed that PM’s Package also includes provision of Rs. 4153 for Pakal Dul Project, Rs. 1400 crore for Intra-State Transmission system to be executed by JKPDD, Rs. 714 crore Special Assistance for Augmentation of Infrastructure for Distribution system, Rs. 250 crore for Smart meters for 2,50,000 consumers in Phase-I @Rs. 10,000 per meter, Rs. 195 crore for PMRP (2004) T&D cost escalation and Rs. 1115 crore for 220 KV, Srinagar-Leh Transmission line.The Governor directed the Chief Secretary to urgently take necessary steps in a Mission mode to ensure timely utilisation of Rs. 11,358 crore which has been allocated for power generation, transmission, distribution and advanced technology intervention for smart grids and smart metering under the PM’s Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan 2015.