RAMBAN: Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek and Senior Superintendent of Police Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, accompanied by senior district officials, visited the headquarters of the 1,800 MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project at Tanger, Ramban, on Wednesday to review key developments ahead of the formal commencement of construction work.
Head of Project Satnam Singh welcomed the visiting officials and briefed them on the current status of the project. He informed that the key Lot-1 tender, covering the access road, diversion tunnels, dam and other major works, valued at ₹5,129 crore, was opened on Wednesday, initiating the technical evaluation of bids submitted by various hydropower infrastructure companies.
The visiting team, led by Kumar Abhishek and Mukund Tibrewal, included Additional Deputy Commissioner Reasi Rakesh Kumar, District Mining Officer Reasi Mohd. Imtiaz Khan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Dharmari Tariq Aziz, Additional Superintendent of Police Reasi Iftekhar Ahmed and other police and district officials.
During an afternoon meeting, the officials were given a detailed presentation and video tour highlighting major milestones achieved so far and the roadmap for the project ahead. Satnam Singh said that approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB), followed by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), remains the key pending process before construction can formally commence, with the process already underway.
The district officials were also briefed about the project components falling within Reasi district, along with the status of land acquisition and compensation and the expected project completion timeline.
Following the meeting, the officials visited Sidhu Bridge and other important project sites and tunnel areas to familiarise themselves with the ongoing groundwork. The project authorities informed them that significant preparatory work had already been completed to ensure smooth and unhindered construction once work begins.
The district officials appreciated the progress made by the project and the sustained efforts towards formally commencing construction, describing it as a development project long awaited by the local population. The DC and SSP Reasi, along with the accompanying officials, assured full administrative support to the project and expressed satisfaction over its progress.
Senior NHPC officials present during the meeting included Deputy General Manager (Civil) Anil Singh Bandari, Group Senior Manager (Civil) Rajesh Agarwal and Senior Manager (Environment) Dr G.S.S.H. Vara Prasad.
