Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir would soon get its first 1,000 MW thermal power project to boost power generation in the state, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has said, adding that the 120 MW Phase -II of Sewa hydel power project in Kathua will be completed by 2009.

After inaugurating rotar rowering of three turbines of 40 MW each in Sewa hydel power project phase-II at Hat Mashka in Basohli area of Kathua district, Shinde told reporters that second phase of the project would be completed at a cost of Rs 665 crore by June 2009.

He also said that JK would soon get a 1,000 MW thermal power project to meet its power demand during winter, when generation is less due to snowfall and water shortage.

He said all efforts are being made by National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) to complete phase-II of the Sewa hydel power project by the said date.

However, he remained non committal on handing over of Dulhasti power project to Jammu and Kashmir. The project had been dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Kishtwar last month.

Shinde said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Power Ministry and JK government on construction of three power projects, karwa, pakal dul and kiru, over river Chenab in Kishtwar district will be signed within the next 3-4 days.

These three power projects would go a long way in meeting power requirements of the state, he said.
Source : PTI