Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project” in J&K

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Why in news?

 Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy, and R.K. Singh inaugurated the Diversion of Marusudar River of Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project.

Key points:

• Pakal Dul is a 1GW hydroelectric project (HEP) under construction in the village of Drangdhuran, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India.
• Pakal Dul H.E. Project will help in fulfilling the target of 450 GW Renewable energy by 2030.
• It is anticipated to produce around 3,330 million units (MU) of energy a year.
• It’s estimated to cost Rs81.12bn ($1.18bn).
• The Pakal Dul HEP project will be the biggest hydroelectric project in the state and the first storage project, upon completion.
• It is part of the prime minister's Development Package (PMDP) for J&K and is expected to enhance the region's power generation.
• Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) is constructing the project on Marusadar River, a tributary of the Chenab River.
• Foundation stone for the construction of the project was laid in May 2018.
• The main access tunnel (MAT) of the dam is expected to be 263m long and 8m wide.

Funding and benefits of the Pakal Dul HEP project:

• The Government of India has agreed to provide Rs25bn as subordinate debt to the state government for developing the Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project, in addition to an Rs11.92bn grant to CVPPL.
• During the first ten years of operation, the state of J&K will receive 12% free power from the project, in addition to waiving of water usages charges. The state will also have the first right to purchase the power allotted to NHPC (49%) and PTC (2%).
• The project is expected to create more than 3,000 direct and indirect construction jobs and approximately 700 operational jobs.

Marusudar River:

Marusudar River is the largest river tributary of Chenab River. On this river, 1000MW Pakal Dul Dam and 800MW Bursar Hydroelectric Project are under construction.

Chenab River:

• Chenab River is one of the major rivers in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Chenab is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, in the western (Punjab) Himalayas in India's Himachal Pradesh state.

Tributaries of Chenab River:

• The tributaries of the Chenab River include Miyar Nalla, Sohal, Thirot, Bhut Nalla, Marusudar and Lidrari. Marusudar is regarded as the biggest tributary of Chenab and joins Chenab in Bhandalkot. Kalnai, Neeru, Bichleri, Raghi and join the Chenab between Kishtwar and the Akhnoor region. Chenab is joined by Tawi as well as Manawar Tawi within Pakistan.