The Indus River has immense hydropower potential which has mostly remained untapped. The geographical location of the state of J&K gives it give a unique advantage to harness hydro power from Z3 major rivers of the Indus. Almost hundred percent of the states installed capacity comes from Haider. This is less than 15% of the state’s estimated 20000 MW hydropower potential, so the remaining 85% of the hydropower potential is used to score. Over the past five years, the state’s energy demand has grown at an average annual rate of 5% to 6%. It has an annual power deficit of 20% to 25%, which is significantly higher than the 3% national average. The state’s inability to use its water resources to close its energy gap is primarily due to a lack of funding and a failure to prioritize micro hydro power projects. Increased joint ventures and public-private partnerships could revitalize the state of J&K’s hydropower industry. Harnessing the identified hydropower potential by promoting large hydro projects may not be the best course of action for this state, especially in light of the environmental factor and the Indus water treaty. The state has utilized the potential for small hydropower projects (SHP), which have a potential of more than 1500 megawatts, in the category of project UPTU 225 MW, but the results in terms of harnessing them have been particularly appalling.
The Small, micro or Mini hydro project are more environmentally friendly e compared to large & medium Hydel project as they have minimal reserve wire requirement & civil construction work. Nowadays, even financial institutions (FIs) are not very eager to finance large & medium hydroelectric project due to its long duration of completion & large fund requirement. SHP, e Mini & micro project have tremendous potential for electricity generation in the upper Indus basin unlike large hydro project SHP mini e & micro hydro project can quickly meet the power demand. Micro Hydel project is considered the most feasible, decentralized localized, renewable energy option for providing reliable & affordable electricity to the remote villages & Dhoks in mountainous areas J&K. The same kind of a project have brought positive changes in the ruler livelihood & introduction of firewood conjunction in the ruler & mountainous area of Nepal, Afghanistan & even in Pak occupied Kashmir. This kind of small projects in collaboration with the State Authority under operation Sadbhavana can bring a Remarkable change in the livelihood of people staying in the remote mountains & villages in other hand it will bring a positive & progressive thought process in the general population of that area. So that they can feel equally the part of developing India.
Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill) is a unique humane initiative undertaken by Indian Army in the State of J&K to address aspirations of people affected by scrooge of terrorism, sponsored & abetted by Pakistan. A significant portion of the State’s population has found comfort thanks to the innovative operation. Terrorist “tanzeems” made an evil effort as part of a larger plan to systematically undermine government officials, target property, public services, and symbols of State authority in order to cause hardship and alienate the local population from the fabric of the country. They made the decision to use its footprint as part of the overall Counter Terrorism strategy in these difficult operational environments to take the initiative back from the terrorists, reintegrate the local population with the national mainstream, and quell the proxy war supported by Pakistan. The Indian Army quickly launched “Operation Sadbhavana” in 1998 with a meagre budget of Rs. 4 crores because it was believed to be the last line of defence that could help the masses affected by terrorism. The timely intervention was made with the intention of supporting the State administration’s efforts to rebuild infrastructure, restore public services, and foster the development of the State. Since 1998, Govt through the Army has invested more than 550 crores of rupees in a variety of people-centered development initiatives in the State.
Out of a seven Focus area the most neglected area is Infrastructure project. Primarily due to lack of fund & vast area to cover. Infrastructure projects demand generally large amount of fund but they give long lasting positive impact in the heart & Mind of population. Dual use infrastructural development projects like MHP along the border areas to be if included along with construction of roads & tracks, minor bridges & culverts, electricity & water supply schemes, bore wells, storage tanks & store shelters which facilitate mil/ ops/ adm plans. In addition to locals, own troops can benefit from these projects. To share the initial costs & maintenance of the projects, efforts should be made to enlist the assistance of local MLAs, members of village/block committees, civil administration officials, & public stakeholders. The development of MHP in boarder areas will have a positive, constructive & progressive image of SF. Such project initially looks like huge fund expenditure but when their benefits are analyzed in long term they are much more economical. MHP provide an opportunity for SF to build, maintain as well as run such facility in a symbiosis environment with local population. Some of the advantages are in far flag areas they can have mutual benefits with such project, load on Fuel & Gen set for electricity generation will reduce, the dependency on Fuel is much higher which will reduce hence expenditure on its logistics will also reduce, cleaner & local solution for both SF as well as local population for power demand, JOBs for local population such as line maintenance, system maintenance, the success of Other Sadbhavana Projects like vocational training for men & women, computer classes, education, School, communication, are deeply dependent on availability of electricity in remote areas which will be solved by MHP and in collaboration with state electricity department will save tax payers money in establishing long transmission line as MHP are more local solution does not require long transmission line & expensive transformers.
Steps taken for Sadbhavana is perhaps, the only ‘Winning of Hearts & Minds” initiative in the world wherein, security forces embroiled in conduct of intense Counter Terrorism operations is also actively assisting civil administration to bring back normalcy. The unique initiative stands as a dazzling example of commitment & dedication of the uniformed community towards the people of J&K & has successfully blunted Pakistan sponsored anti India propaganda. It has complimented efforts of the State to ameliorate conditions in order to provide much needed succor to the population severely affected by decades long “Proxy War”. Initiatives likes MHP will produce more everlasting image on heart & mind of population in one hand & in other hand will able to complete Government larger aim of Rural electrification, education, employment and reduction the burden on fossil fuel consumption. This will be comforting not only because of the encouraging numbers and outcomes, but also because these initiatives offer the chance to socially uplift a segment of society that not only experiences socioeconomic hardships but also constantly fears geopolitical instability.
