Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the status of power distribution and transmission infrastructure besides irrigation works and hydropower projects in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

The meeting was attended by Managing Director JKPDCL, Rahul Yadav; Chief Engineer I& FC, Manoj Gupta; Chief Engineer Transmission JPDCL, Habib Choudhary; Chief Engineer, Distribution JPDCL, K K Thappa; CE Planning and Procurement, JPDCL,  Vijay Kumar Balmotra; Chief Engineer Projects, Vikas Anand and other senior officers.

The Minister emphasised the need to further strengthen the electricity infrastructure and ensure a reliable and uninterrupted power supply to the region, particularly in remote and border areas. He underlined that robust power infrastructure is essential for economic growth, public welfare and improved service delivery.

During the review, the Minister held detailed discussions on the condition and expansion of distribution lines, substations and transmission corridors. He also assessed the progress of works being executed under various Central and UT-sponsored schemes. Issues related to right-of-way, erection of electric poles and clearance delays were discussed.

The Minister was informed that coordination between the Power Development Department (PDD) and allied departments is underway to resolve these bottlenecks.

Directing the concerned officers to expedite the resolution of all pending issues, Rana stressed strict adherence to prescribed timelines. He cautioned that delays in infrastructure projects adversely impact the public service delivery, especially in sensitive and remote areas such as Mendhar. He also underscored the importance of regular monitoring and prompt redressal of public grievances to enhance the consumer satisfaction.

The Minister specifically reviewed progress on the Siot–Rajouri Receiving Station, terming it a major power infrastructure project for Rajouri district. He noted that the project is vital for high-voltage power transmission and meeting the growing electricity demand of the region.

Reviewing the Parnai Hydropower Project, Rana reiterated the Jammu and Kashmir government’s focus on hydropower development and energy self-sufficiency, particularly in Poonch district. He directed the executing agency to ensure timely completion of the project, highlighting that it would significantly enhance the energy security, promote economic growth, improve living standards and support equitable development in the region.

Managing Director, JKPDCL, Rahul Yadav, informed the meeting that work on the project is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed by December 2027.

Taking serious notice of the prolonged delay in the Anas Irrigation Canal project, the Minister instructed the concerned departments to explore all feasible options for initiating work at the earliest. He emphasized that the project has the potential to deliver substantial benefits to local communities and ensure sustainable water security.

He further directed the Irrigation & Flood Control Department and JKPDCL to revisit the project parameters and work out a viable and resource-efficient solution. Once completed, the project is expected to improve the power availability, support local economic activities and enhance overall service delivery in the region.

The Minister also conducted a comprehensive review of implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in Poonch and Rajouri districts. He assessed both physical and financial progress, as well as the quality of work being executed under the scheme, describing RDSS as a critical initiative aimed at transforming the power distribution sector. He urged the officers to identify the existing challenges and adopt a proactive approach to ensure successful implementation.

It was informed during the meeting that physical progress under RDSS stands at 58 percent in Rajouri and 19 percent in Poonch. The officials assured the Minister that all the pending works would be completed within the stipulated timelines.

Reviewing the progress on DAJGUA programme for rural electrification, Rana directed the local officials to accelerate project execution to bridge infrastructure gaps in tribal villages. He emphasized that priority must be accorded to unelectrified and underserved areas, with active monitoring to ensure that basic services effectively reach tribal communities.

The Minister stated that strengthening power infrastructure in areas such as Mendhar is crucial for boosting economic activity, improving public welfare and ensuring overall regional development. He assured that all necessary support would be extended by the government to ensure timely completion of projects and uninterrupted power supply to the people of Poonch and Rajouri.