Srinagar, Oct 30 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that multiple Chenani Hydro Power Projects (CHEP I, II, and III) are presently under forced shutdown following heavy rains, flash floods and landslides that struck the region on August 26, 2025.
In a written reply to un-starred assembly question raised by MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, the Power Development Department said the calamity caused significant damage to the water conductor system and electro-mechanical machinery of the projects, affecting their generation capacity.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the government stated that Chenani Hydro Power Project-I (CHEP-I), commissioned in 1975 with an installed capacity of 23.30 MW, had already exceeded its operational lifespan of 40 years. The power house is under forced shutdown for emergency restoration work, which will be followed by detailed damage assessment and permanent restoration. It is expected to resume operation by June 2026, the reply said.
Similarly, CHEP-II, commissioned in 1996 with a capacity of 20 MW, is also under shutdown as it depends on the tail race of CHEP-I. Restoration work is underway and the project is also expected to be operational by June 2026.
The government further said Chenani Hydro-Electric Project-III, commissioned in 2002 with an installed capacity of 7.50 MW, too suffered damage due to the same incident and is under restoration, with operations expected to resume by July 2026.
Meanwhile, responding to a related query about the Nagulta–Pakhali road maintained by the Power Development Corporation, the department said the road was initially renovated and maintained by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) until 2021, after which it was handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD).
However, PWD did not maintain the road thereafter, leading to deterioration. Based on public representations in 2023, the government has approved several repair and renovation works, including: Protection works at Tathyal Nallah, costing Rs 14 lakh and Repair & renovation of the road from Karkul to Swena, costing Rs 14.62 lakh.
Additionally, Rs 42 lakh has been earmarked in the current year’s budget for strengthening and maintenance of the road, the government added—(KNO)