The Center is considering new hydropower projects, including Sawalkot: Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal from J&K

Union Secretary of Ministry of Power Pankaj Agarwal. File. | Photo credit: ANI

With the 1960 Indus Water Treaty concluded after the Pahalgam attack in 2025, Union Power Minister Pankaj Agarwal said on Saturday (October 3, 2026) that the Center is considering new hydropower projects, including Sawalkot, in J&K.

“Discussions are on for Sawalkote. We certainly intend to start work on this project in the near future. These projects would not only meet the local demand but also meet the energy requirements of other parts of the country,” Mr. Agarwal said.

The statement assumes significance in the backdrop of Pakistan’s objections raised against the construction of the Sawalkote dam project in July last year and in February this year with India and asked for consultation. India suspended the IWT after the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 civilians dead, in Kashmir in 2025 and started working on several energy projects.

Built by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), the ₹5,129 crore Sawalkot hydroelectric project on the Chenab river in Udhampur, Reasi and Ramban districts will generate 800 megawatts of electricity.

“Major hydro projects including Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar are progressing well (in J&K). The Center is also considering other projects in future,” Mr Agarwal said.

Praising the administration of the Union Territory, Mr. Agarwal said that projects under Chenab Valley Power Projects (Private) Limited have received full support from the local government. “We are making good progress. We are getting full support from the UT administration. We will also think of other new projects,” said Mr. Agarwal.

On the power deficit in J&K, Mr. Agarwal said around 14,500 MW of hydro potential has been identified in the UT and “ongoing projects would help solve this problem”.

In PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Agarwal said that so far around 50 million people across the country have taken part in the scheme while J&K has achieved its first milestone of 100 MW.

“J&K has achieved the first milestone of 100 megawatts. Once the momentum sets in, the progress will definitely be fast,” he added.

Ending rooftop solar program in J&K ‘good start’, Mr Agarwal said: “We are now entering the take-off phase. J&K has taken off well under PM Suryagar. The momentum has picked up and will take off,” Agarwal said.

Earlier, Mr. Agarwal visited the Seva Setu Abhiyan Camp organized under the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Srinagar where he inspected the stalls and help desk 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 panels under Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the official said.

Published – 04 Oct 2026 02:32 IST