“Rules out and possibility of water shortage, says River water will not be completely closed, at least 530 cusecs water will be available in the river, flow of river in the summer season will be almost usual up to an average of 18000 cusecs”.
S. A Haidri
Muzaffarabad: Project Director Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project Nayyar Alla ud din has said that 95 percent of work has been completed on the Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project (NJHP).
Mr. Nayyer made the assertions while addressing a press briefing here on Tuesday. He said that with the completion of this project, the local population will also get opportunities for employment on priority basis.
In February 28, 2018, the first unit will start its work. By the end of April or May 2018, all four units of the NJHP will be included in the National Grid Station. The completion of the project will generate 969 megawatts of electricity, 94% of work has been completed on transmission lines. The completion of the project will generate a total of 5.150 billion units annually and generate annual revenue of approximately 50 billion rupees, and it will continue to grow annually.
Project Director said that environmental study on the whole project is being done. The agreement between the Azad Kashmir government and the WAPDA is underway and the work on the project is being done according to the terms listed in the contract.
“People find this impression that the river will dry completely due to the filling of the lake, which can affect the area after Noseri and will cause water and sanitation issues.”
He assured that the river water will not be completely closed. Under the agreement with the Azad Kashmir government, at least 530 cusecs water will be available in the river, flow of river in the summer season will be almost usual up to an average of 18000 cusecs. “Initially, by the mid-January 2018, 425 cusecs of water will be stopped, and more than that, the water that is approximately 1800 cusecs will flow in the river.” Therefore, the concerns found in this regard are not valid.
The Project Director said that there is no possibility of any such problem, because in current conditions, 1800 cusecs water will flow in the river. While there will not be any shortage of water in the summer.
He said that only 35 cusecs water is needed for the Makari Water Supply Scheme. He told journalists that the WAPDA Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company has already allocated 500 million rupees since 2012 for the restoration of any impact to water supply scheme, and the Government of Azad Kashmir has to work on the project.