Srinagar: The Power Development Department is once again all set to miss one more deadline for the implementation of much hyped Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) in Jammu and Srinagar.
Sources within the PDD divulged that not even 20 percent of the project has been implemented on ground in the twin capitals- Jammu and Srinagar in the state.
With power paucity touching heights in the state amid the winter months, the PDD’s non- serious approach is once again going to haunt the people. The R-APDRP that was aimed at curtailing the T&D losses in JK due to which the state is incurring losses of hundreds of crores of rupees, this centrally sponsored scheme has emerged as one more flop show by the state authorities.
PDD insiders divulge that there hasn’t been much forward movement witnessed vis-a-vis the covering the twin capitals under this scheme.
The dilatory mode of functioning is being held responsible for making such a vital power reform scheme a flop show in JK.
Pertinently, the project was aimed to curtail T&D losses in the state and ensure round the clock electricity to state households. For the first phase of the project, the Central government had sanctioned Rs.151.99 crores under R-APDRP while an amount of Rs.1665.27 crores had been approved for the second phase of this vital project.
The second phase was supposed to cover two main cities including Jammu and Srinagar for which the funds estimated at the cost of Rs. 52,89 crores have been approved. These schemes were proposed to be taken up under National Electricity Fund for which Rural Electrification Corporation is the nodal agency. Under this scheme 30 towns have been identified as project areas in J&K state with population of above 10,000 as per 2001 census.
For this purpose, the government had already taken a pilot exercise and some 30 towns have been identified as project areas in J&K, another 283 towns with population of over 4000 have also been identified that will be covered in the second phase. Phase -1 of 283 towns is to cost Rs. 171.61 crores and phase-2 will cost Rs. 1073.33 crores. These projects were proposed to be taken up under Phase-II of R-APDRP through a special dispensation which could not materialize.
Meanwhile, neither the power minister nor Commissioner Secretary Power received the repeated calls for comments.
(With inputs from KNS)
