Major milestone for J&K power sector as Uri-I Stage-II work begins

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Srinagar, May 31 (IANS) Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NHPC, Bhupender Gupta, on Sunday successfully carried out the first blast for the construction of the 240-MW Uri-I Stage-II Hydro Electric Project in the Uri area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

A major milestone for Jammu and Kashmir’s power sector was achieved with the successful execution of the first blast for the 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II Hydro Electric Project by NHPC Chairman-cum-Managing Director Bhupender Gupta on Sunday, marking the formal commencement of key construction activities.

The development is being viewed as significant for the region’s energy infrastructure, with the project expected to strengthen power generation capacity and contribute towards long-term energy security.

Officials associated with the project said the successful first blast signals the beginning of major construction work under the Uri-I Stage-II Hydro Electric Project.

The hydroelectric project is expected to augment electricity generation and improve energy availability, particularly as Jammu and Kashmir continues to pursue the expansion of its power infrastructure.

The project forms part of broader efforts aimed at harnessing hydropower potential and reducing dependence on external power supply sources.

Officials said the commencement of construction activities marked an important stage in the implementation of the project. The 240 MW project is expected to play a key role in enhancing generation capacity and supporting future power requirements in the region.

NHPC already operates six major hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir with a combined installed capacity of 2,250 MW. These include Salal HEP (690 MW) in Reasi district, Uri-I HEP (480 MW) in Baramulla district, Uri-II HEP (240 MW) in Baramulla district, Dulhasti HEP (390 MW) in Kishtwar district, Kishanganga HEP (330 MW) in Bandipora district and Sewa-II HEP (120 MW) in Kathua district.

NHPC is also executing multiple large-scale projects in Jammu and Kashmir, largely through joint ventures such as Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) and Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL). These include the Pakal Dul project (1,000 MW) on the Marusudar River in Kishtwar district, the Ratle project (850 MW) on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, the Kiru project (624 MW) on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district and the Kwar project (540 MW) on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district.

For the Dulhasti Stage-II and Uri-I Stage-II projects, NHPC has approved a major investment programme for capacity expansion, with the two projects together targeted to add another 500 MW of generation capacity.

–IANS

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“The biggest lie about Agniveer has now been exposed,” said Malviya, criticising the Congress for alleging that the scheme was implemented without consulting the Army.

Sharing a video of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane featuring in a podcast, Malviya wrote on platform X: “Former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, who was cited as the basis for claims that Modi government introduced the Agniveer scheme without consulting anyone, has clarified that the scheme was not imposed on the Army. Instead, it was introduced after discussions and input from all stakeholders.”

“Another campaign of calumny unleashed by the opposition falls flat,” wrote Malviya.

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah had targeted Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on Agniveer Yojana, saying that the Congress leader is a “lying machine”.

“Rahul Gandhi says that Agniveer Yojana has been brought because the government does not want to give pensionable jobs. I am telling you that every Agniveer will be given a pensionable job,” the Home Minister said, ahead of Haryana Assembly elections last year.

“These days, Rahul Gandhi is in Haryana. He has claimed that the Agniveer Scheme will destroy the lives of our youths. I urge you not to believe him because he has not understood this scheme. The Agniveer Scheme will keep our forces young,” the Home Minister said while addressing a public meeting.

Earlier, LoP Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP-led central government by saying the Agnipath scheme was brought to snatch Agniveers’ pension, canteen facility for their family members and their status of martyr.

Dismissing doubts about the future of Agniveers, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that a decision has been taken to reserve 10 per cent of vacancies for ex-Agniveers in the recruitment to the post of Constable (General Duty) /Rifleman in the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles, including CISF and BSF.

Further, a provision has been made for relaxation in the upper age limit and exemption from the Physical Efficiency Test, the ministry said.

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Four top Maoists surrender before Telangana Police

Hyderabad, Feb 24 (IANS) In the biggest blow to the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist, four top Maoist leaders, including Thippiri Tirupati alias Devuji, and Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, surrendered before the Telangana Police, officials said on Tuesday.

CPI-Maoist Central Committee Member, Polit Bureau Member and Central Military Commission (CMC) In-charge Devuji, who is also known as Kumma dada, Central Committee Member Malla Raji Reddy, Telangana State Committee (TSC) Secretary Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar alias Jagan; and State Committee Member Nune Narsimha Reddy alias Ganganna alias Sannu Dada were produced before media by the Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy here.

While three of the surrendered Maoists are from Telangana, Narasimha Reddy is from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

62-year-old Devuji hailed from Korutla of Jagtial district.

Devuji, who was underground for four decades, told media that he surrendered due to ill-health.

He said that in future he will be active in public life and work with the same ideology to solve people’s problems but within the legal framework.

The DGP said that with the surrender of Devuji and Raji Reddy, the last surviving apex organisational body of CPI-Maoist, has collapsed.

Simultaneously, the Telangana State Committee of the organisation has been rendered defunct with the surrender of Chokka Rao and Narsimha Reddy, the Telangana DGP said.

Devuji has been underground for 44 years while Malla Reddy was underground for 46 years.

Chokka Rao and Narasimha Reddy were also active in the Maoist movement for 28 years and 36 years respectively.

Devuji married Arike Jaini alias Srujana of Maharashtra in 1991.

She was a CPI (Maoist) member in Perimeli Dalam when she married Devuji.

She was elevated to the rank of Regional Committee Member and died in 2020 in an exchange of fire in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district.

During education at Junior College in Korutla, Devuji was attracted to revolutionary politics and joined the Radical Students Union (RSU). He joined the CPI-ML People’s War in January 1982, and in April 1984 he was sent to Dandakaranya by Muppala Laxman Rao alias Ganapathi along with Malla Raji Reddy to work in armed squad.

In 2017, Devuji assumed charge as in-charge of the CMC and was subsequently elected as a Politburo Member, a position he continues to hold till date.

Additionally, following the surrender of Mallojula Venugopal alias Sonu, a CPI-Maoist Politburo member, he has been acting as the official spokesperson of the CPI-Maoist by the name of ‘Abhay’.

Malla Raji Reddy, 76, is a native of Shastrulapalle village in Peddapally district.

In 1971, Raji Reddy completed his intermediate and joined the RSU in 1974.

In 1976, he was arrested in Korutla and Jagtial cases and was released in September 1977.

Raji Reddy was arrested in 2007 when he was attending the CPI-Maoist organisational work in Kerala.

In 2009, he was released from jail and again went underground.

In 2022, he was transferred to Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC) and made its in-charge and is continuing as in-charge of DKSZC till now.

Chokka Rao, 74, is a resident of Kalvapalli village in Mulugu district of Telangana.

Narsimha Reddy, 62, hails from Vallur village in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.

The Telangana DGP said these top Maoist leaders rejoined the mainstream following the appeal made by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy last year to CPI-Maoist cadres to renounce violence, return to the mainstream, and actively participate in the development and welfare of the state and its people.

He added that ideological divergence, internal rifts, and growing disillusionment have further eroded organisational cohesion.

“This decision represents a positive, conscious, and pragmatic response to the state government’s appeal and a clear rejection of the path of extremism,” he said.

“Devuji and Raji Reddy carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh each while Chokka Rao and Narasimha Reddy carried a reward of Rs 20 lakh each. They have been given the reward amount as per the Telangana government’s rehabilitation policy.”

State DGP Shivadhar Reddy said a total of 591 Maoists have surrendered before the Telangana Police since 2024. They include four CPI-Maoist Central Committee Members and 16 State Committee Members.

He added that now only 11 underground CPI-Maoist cadres, who are native of Telangana are left over.

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“Out of three Central Committee Members of the CPI-Maoist, two are native of Telangana,” the Telangana DGP said.

The DGP appealed to all the remaining underground CPI-Maoist cadres, particularly the 11 underground cadres, who are natives of Telangana, to renounce violence, return to their native villages/towns, reunite with their families, and contribute constructively to the development of the state.

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MP: Three youths missing in Panna waterfall, search operation continues

Panna, June 30 (IANS) Three youths were swept away by a strong current in the Susi Jalprapat, also known as Brihaspati Kund — a natural water body located under the Brijpur police station area of Panna district, Madhya Pradesh.

The incident occurred at the site along the Panna-Pahadikhera road on Sunday, when three friends — one from Satna and the other two from Panna — entered the water to bathe and were caught in a sudden surge.

“Search operations are underway, but there is still no trace of them,” said Mahendra Singh Bhadauria, the investigating officer and in-charge of Brijpur police station, while speaking to IANS.

“They have been identified as Twarit Choudhary, Krishna Sharma, and Abhishek Berman. They are all in the age group of 18 to 20 years,” the officer added.

A joint rescue operation was launched by teams from Brijpur police station in Panna district and Baraundha police station in neighbouring Satna district. Divers and personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also deployed to assist in the search. However, the operation had to be suspended on Sunday evening due to poor visibility and safety concerns after nightfall.

The search resumed early Monday morning, with teams scouring the kund and surrounding areas.

As of the latest update, the youths remain missing. Local villagers have also joined the efforts, offering logistical support and sharing insights into the terrain.

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Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, the site lacks adequate safety infrastructure such as warning signs, lifeguards, or barricades — raising concerns about visitor safety.

The officer refuted reports that the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, stating, “Police responded promptly. The State Disaster Response Force is actively searching for them.”

Brihaspati Kund, also known as Susi Jalprapat, is a waterfall and natural crater located in the Panna district near the Kalinjar fort. It is a popular tourist spot known for its scenic beauty and religious significance, with legends attributing its origin to Dev Guru Brihaspati.

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