Union Secretary of the Ministry of Power Pankaj Agarwal. File.
| Photo Credit: ANI
With the 1960 Indus Water Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam attack in 2025, Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal on Saturday (October 3, 2026) said the Centre was considering new hydropower projects, including Sawalkot, in J&K.
“Discussions are ongoing regarding Sawalkote. We certainly intend to take up work on that project in the near future. These projects would not only meet the local demand, but would also meet the power demands of other parts of the country,” said Mr. Agarwal.
The statement assumes significance in the backdrop of Pakistan’s objections raised on the construction of Sawalkote dam project in July last year and February this year with India and had sought consultation. India suspended the IWT after the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 civilians dead, in Kashmir in 2025 and started working on several power projects.
Built by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), the Sawalkot hydroelectric project was coming up at the cost of ₹5,129 crores on the Chenab River in the Udhampur, Reasi, and Ramban districts and will generate 800 megawatts of electricity.
“Major hydropower projects including Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar are progressing well (in J&K). The Centre is also looking at other projects in the future,” said Mr. Agarwal.
Praising the Union Territory administration, Mr. Agarwal said the projects under the Chenab Valley Power Projects (Private) Limited were receiving full support of the local government. “We are making good progress. We are getting the full support of the UT administration. We will also think about other new projects,” said Mr. Agarwal.
On power deficit in J&K, Mr. Agarwal said around 14,500 MW of hydropower potential were identified in the UT and “the ongoing projects would help address the issue”.
On the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Agarwal said around 50 lakh people across the country had joined the programme so far, while J&K had achieved its first milestone of 100 MW.
“J&K has achieved the first milestone of 100 megawatts. Once the momentum is there, the progress will definitely be fast,” he added.
Terming the rooftop solar programme in J&K “a good start”, Mr. Agarwal said, “We are now reaching the take-off stage. J&K has made a good start under PM Suryagar. Momentum has built and it will take off,” Agarwal said.
Earlier, Mr. Agarwal visited the Seva Setu Abhiyan Camp being organised under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Srinagar, where he inspected stalls and help desks and interacted with vendors providing services related to the scheme.
The Seva Setu Abhiyan Camp is aimed at strengthening public outreach, facilitating citizen-centric service delivery and creating awareness among citizens about the benefits of rooftop solar under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, said an official.
Published – October 04, 2026 02:32 am IST
