PM commissions Baglihar project

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday dedicated the Baglihar Hydroelectric project to the nation after formally...

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday dedicated the Baglihar Hydroelectric project to the nation after formally inaugurating it at the commissioned site alongside the Chenab, nearly 145 km from Jammu. Controversies, including objections raised by Pakistan, had delayed the commissioning of the 450-MW project.

Singh, in his address, claimed that India had addressed the “genuine” concerns raised by Pakistan and called on the country for mutual cooperation in all spheres. “We have always taken care that concerns raised by our neighbouring country are safeguarded and their interests protected. Both the nations are duty-bound towards the interests of the masses and for that we must learn to cooperate,” the Prime Minister said.

Accompanied by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Union Water Resources Minister Prof Saifuddin Soz and a host of state and central level dignitaries, Singh said that India had honoured the Indus Water Treaty in toto. “We are committed to implementing and honouring the treaty so that both the nations make optimum use of the Indus water,” he said.

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Congratulating the people of the state for the project, the Prime Minister said upon its execution the power-producing capacity of the state will double — from 309 MW at present to 759 MW.

“I have been told that the state will earn Rs 900 crore annually from sale of power generated from the first unit… this will augur well for other schemes and herald a development era in the state,” he said.

In what can also be seen as the first campaign of Congress in the state ahead of elections, Sonia Gandhi said the Baglihar project will bring “khushhaali”(happiness) in the lives of people of J-K. “This is the beginning … I hope the project will be utilised to its maximum potential.”

Earlier, the state Government signed an MoU with NHPC and Power Trading Corporation for setting up a joint venture company for executing another project, Pakal Dool and other smaller power projects. These projects will generate 2100 MW of additional power.

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