Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 3, 2019 dedicated the 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System to the nation, a step that would ensure quality power supply to Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir round the year.
With this, Ladakh now stands connected to the National Grid. The move is expected to boost the tourism sector and enhance the socio-economic development of Ladakh.
It is a flagship project of the Union Government under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) which was aimed to improve reliability and quality of power supply in Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir by connecting with National Grid.
The project was launched during the visit of PM Modi to Jammu & Kashmir.
| What is National Grid? |
| The National Grid is the high-voltage electric power transmission network in India, connecting power stations and major substations and ensuring that electricity generated anywhere in mainland India can be used to satisfy demand elsewhere.
The National Grid is owned, operated, and maintained by state-owned Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (POWERGRID), a Navratna Company under the Union Ministry of Power. POWERGRID is one of the world’s largest power transmission utility, and has a wide network of 150,874 circuit kilometers transmission lines with 238 sub-stations. |
About Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass - Kargil - Leh Transmission Line Project
• The foundation stone for the Srinagar-Alusteng-Drass-Kargil-Leh Transmission Line was laid by the PM Modi on August 12, 2014.
• This project has been completed by the POWERGRID within 4.5 years.
• Built at a height of around 3000-4000 meters, this transmission line is around 335 km long.
• Under this project, four new modern Gas Insulated Sub-stations of 220/66 Kilovolt (kV) were built at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh to help ensure 24x7 quality power in all weather conditions.
• It took funding of Rs 2266 crore to complete the project. These funds were provided by the Central Government and Jammu & Kashmir Government in the ratio of 95:05, respectively.
Significance
• The project will result in minimising the massive use of diesel generating sets during winters, and thus will help in protection of beautiful environment of Ladakh region.
• It will provide grid connectivity and reliable quality power supply to the Ladakh region including defence establishments in the area.
• This will not only help evacuate power of Kargil and Leh Hydel stations in summers, but will also supply power to the region in winters when temperatures dip and hydro electricity generation do not match up.
• The project will meet the power demand of Ladakh region at economical rates.
• With quality electricity available at reasonable rates, hospitality industry in Ladakh will get a boost, as their reliance on diesel sets will reduce.
• This will also attract tourists looking for affordable stay in all weathers.
Challenges faced by POWERGRID in executing the project
POWERGRID came across unforeseen weather conditions while executing the project. The line remains covered with snow for nearly six months with the minimum temperature going down to as low as -40 degrees at Drass.
However, this was made possible by sound project monitoring skills, high team spirit and strategic planning and use of modern technologies. Specially designed tower foundations were constructed with assistance from Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) for spotting the tower foundations.
| Projects launched by PM Modi in Jammu & Kashmir |
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