Kishanganga project delays hit Uri plan
URI, Oct 21 — Delay by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in executing the Kishanganga hydroelectric project has hit the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s plans to double the capacity of its 480 MW Uri Hydroelectric Power Project.

Continue talks to resolve
J&K issue: Celeste
SRINAGAR, Oct 21 — The US Ambassador to India, Mr Richard F. Celeste, said here today that his country's interest was in the ongoing talks between India and Pakistan to resolve various issues including that of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kishanganga project delays hit Uri plan
From T.V.Lakshminarayan
Tribune News Service

URI, Oct 21 — Delay by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in executing the Kishanganga hydroelectric project has hit the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s plans to double the capacity of its 480 mw Uri Hydroelectric Power Project.

Execution of the Kishanganga Project and the Wullar barrage is a prerequisite for NHPC’s expansion plans as the Jhelum river, presently running through the first phase of the project does not have water for additional generation.

A doubling of capacity would benefit the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Delhi substantially as Jammu and Kashmir has little capacity to absorb the additional power when generated.

In the existing Uri Hydroelectric Power Project, which has a capacity to generate 2700 million units of power annually, Punjab gets the highest share of 13.75 per cent among the neighbouring states. Haryana has a share of 5.42 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 2.71 per cent and Chandigarh 0.62 per cent. Jammu and Kashmir has a share of 34 per cent.

NHPC has already put together the necessary infrastructure for expansion of the project and all it now needs to double capacity is additional water.

The Kishanganga project was initially entrusted to the NHPC for execution in 1990. But the Jammu and Kashmir government took it back in 1995 and has yet to initiate construction.

According to sources, the J and K Government is considering entrusting the project on a turnkey basis to a Swedish consortium led by Skanska. The same consortium had executed the Uri power project in a record six-and-a-half years despite militancy.

According to sources in the NHPC, the execution of the Kishanganga project and strengthening of evacuation lines in the valley would have significant benefit for the neighbouring states.

Power generated by the Uri project is being evacuated through a 93-km long 400 kv double circuit transmission line from Uri to Wagoora (near Srinagar) with a 400 kv/220 kv substation at Wagoora and 11-km long 220 kv, double circuit transmission line from Wagoora to Pampore and further through 174-km long 220 kv double circuit transmission line from Pampore to Kishenpur (near Udhampur) with a 220/132 kv substation at Kishenpur. The power is pooled at Kishenpur substation in the Northern regional grid.

According to sources in the NHPC, the 220 kv lines between Pampore and Kishenpur was not sufficient to carry the electricity generated by the Uri project. Due to constant tripping, transmission of electricity to the neighbouring states was not satisfactory.

The construction of 400 kv lines, which have yet to start, between Pampore and Kishenpur would ensure that states like Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh get their full share of allotted power.

Continue talks to resolve J&K issue: Celeste
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 21 — The US Ambassador to India, Mr Richard F. Celeste, said here today that his country's interest was in the ongoing talks between India and Pakistan to resolve various issues including that of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I will be able to better understand the situation in Kashmir and more effectively represent my government's interest which is to see, first and foremost an ongoing sustained discussion between India and Pakistan to attempt to resolve differences about all of the issues that divide the two countries, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir", Mr Richard F. Celeste said at the end of his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir. He arrived here yesterday and held discussions with separatist leaders, government and security officials.

He said that there was a need to "bring back peaceful conditions" to Jammu and Kashmir. He also visited Bone and Joints Hospital here this morning where he met four injured victims of the violence in the valley and exchanged views with hospital administrations. "The fact is that there is still work to be done to bring back peace to this piece of land", Mr Celeste said after his visit to the hospital.

During his two-day visit to the valley, the US Ambassador met the leaders of All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) at the Huyrriyat headquarters in Rajbagh last evening. The two sides had an hour-long meeting. Mr Richard F. Celeste also met senior separatist leader, Shabir Shah at his residence, this morning. The APHC leaders who met the visiting US Ambassador included its chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Mr Celeste had a detailed meeting on the prevalent situation with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah here this afternoon, before his departure for Delhi.

ICRC delegation meets minister
From Our Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 21 — Mr Frank Kuenzi coordinator and Dr Jonathan Beynon, members of delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), presently on a visit to Kashmir today called on the Minister for Medical Education, Dr Mustafa Kamal, and discussed various issues related to medical treatment of the militancy victims.

The visiting delegation urged the government to provide all possible assistance to the detainees in different jails, particularly the victims of the ongoing militancy.

The minister informed the delegation that all possible efforts were taken to provide adequate medical facilities to these detainees in accordance with the jail manual. He expressed the hope that deficiency on account of the funds would be checked and adequate medical facilities provided to the detainees.