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Title: Need to start construction of proposed Thermal Power Project in Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir.
CHAUDHARY LAL SINGH (UDHAMPUR): The Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (JKPDC) identified three locations for establishment of Thermal Power Projects each one in Kashmir, Rajouri & Kathua District in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The proposal has been sent to the Central Government. The NTPC examined the proposal in detail and found only one project feasible, which was proposed to be established along River Ujh, at Kathua District. The NTPC also prepared the pre-feasibility Report of the project in the year 2004 and submitted the same to Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC) for further action and to initiate the tendering process, for preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR). One Thousand Kanals of land for the said project has also been identified and if necessary, more land can be made available. More than 6 years have been elapsed, the JKPDC could not initiate the tendering process till date and may be, not in a position to prepare the same. The establishment of Thermal Power Project at Kathua District, is essential in the larger interest of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Further delay in commissioning, may jeopardize the interest of the people of the State, where the growth rate of educated unemployed youths is increasing day by day.
I, therefore, urge the Government to direct the concerned authorities to get the DPR of Ujh 1000 M.W. Thermal Power Project, prepared by NTPC so that the
pre-construction activities, at the proposed site, could be started, at the earliest. This will indeed also pacify a section of youths of the state, who will be employed in the proposed project.