JKPDC Reviving Heritage Mohra Power Project

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s power generation company has decided to finally revive the Mohra power station, the second oldest power generation station in Asia. The decision was taken at the Jammu Kashmir State Power Development Corporation board meeting that Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Vivek Bhardwaj presided over.

The wooden water canal of the Mohra Power Station. Kl Image: Bilal Bahadur

The Board of Directors accorded its approval to the award of the EPC contract for execution of 10.5 MW (2x 5.25 MW) Mohura Heritage Hydro Electric Project, located in Tehsil Boniyar, District Baramulla at the estimated cost of about Rs 133.50 crores

The Mohra SHP, a run-off river scheme was constructed in 1905 in Kashmir on river Jhelum at Boniyar, 35 km downstream of Baramulla, with an installed capacity of 4 MW, later enhanced to 9 MW. It was the second hydroelectric project in Asia.

The LG Administration is very keen to revive this century-old project and the Board of Directors has approved the implementation of the project today. The project is slated and shall be completed in 42 months.

Vivek Bharadwaj, who is also Chairman of the Board directed that all necessary approvals like forest clearance, MHA clearance etc for the projects of the corporation should be ensured at the earliest.

Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Nitishwar Kumar directed that the project should be commissioned on time without any delay.

The Board also confirmed the allotment of the contract to M/S Oriental Insurance Company for the insurance of 900 MW Baglihar HEP – Stage-I and Stage-II for the policy period from 16-07-2022 to 15-07-2023.