Jammu and Kashmir aims to become a power surplus state: Omar Abdullah

TANGMARG: Equating self-reliance in power production with financial autonomy, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the state's future lies in optimum use of water resources for power generation.

"My target is to make Jammu and Kashmir a power surplus state and strengthen its economy to such a level from where it need not plead for Central assistance time and again for every development work," Abdullah said after inaugurating the Drungi Micro Hydro Power Project on Ferozpur Nallah here, 45 km from Srinagar.

The project, launched by a local company, was completed at a cost of Rs 90 crore and was financed by Jammu and Kashmir Bank. It will provide electricity to areas in Tangmarg and Gulmarg.

The chief minister said various projects with a combined generation capacity of 9,000 MWs are under implementation.

Abdullah said after he persuaded the Union Government, the Centre allotted a 130 million tonne coal block for Jammu and Kashmir, which would enable the state to generate 1,000 MW of power for 25 to 30 years.

"I may not be in a position to sell this achievement during the 2014 elections as work on establishing a thermal power project may take some time," the chief minister said.

However, the state government has made a "remarkable dent" in the power generation sector to bring welfare and financial autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, he said.