Choudary Ramzan Seeks Return of Hydropower Projects to J&K, Questions Delay on Rajwar Lignite Plant Revival

New Delhi, Dec 15, KNT: Member of Parliament Mohammad Ramzan on Monday asked the Central Government to clarify when it intends to return major hydroelectric power projects to Jammu and Kashmir after what he said were decades of revenue collection and full cost recovery by NHPC. Raising the matter in the Rajya Sabha, he sought a clear timeline and commitment from the Centre on restoring ownership and control of the Union Territory’s key power assets.

Ramzan referred to NHPC’s operation of multiple hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir and pressed the government to state whether there was any ongoing process to transfer these projects back to the local administration. He argued that J&K has long waited for the restoration of its power resources, which he said were vital for the region’s economic stability and energy needs.

The MP as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust, also highlighted the long-pending Nichanhama Rajwar lignite thermal power project in Handwara, which was initiated in 1989 but was abandoned due to the onset of militancy. Ramzan asked the government whether it has any plan to revive this project and, if so, by when. He underscored the importance of the Rajwar initiative for addressing energy shortages and unlocking local industrial potential.

The queries were placed before the Ministry of Power through an unstarred question seeking clarity on the present status of joint-venture hydropower projects, the financial position of NHPC in J&K, and the fate of the Rajwar lignite project. [KNT]