Srinagar, Sep 4: The oldest power plant in the Valley, Mohra in north Kashmir, was announced to be revived a few years ago by the Jammu and Kashmir government, but little tangible progress has been made since then.
According to official sources, the Board of Directors of Power Development Corporation approved the award of the EPC contract for the execution of the 10.5 MW (2x 5.25 MW) Mohra Heritage Hydro Electric Project, located in Tehsil Boniyar, District Baramulla, at an estimated cost of about Rs 133.50 crore, in 2022.
The Mohra SHP, a run-off river scheme was constructed in 1905 in Kashmir on river Jhelum at Boniyar, 35 km downstream of Baramulla, with an installed capacity of 4 MW, later enhanced to 9 MW. It was the second hydroelectric project in Asia.
However, sources informed that there had been little progress since last year on the project and it needs intervention at the highest level for earlier revival of this heritage project. Locals in Uri are also vouching for the revival of heritage hydroelectric Power project, Mohra, which falls in the Boniyar area of Uri.
They said that if revitalised, the old Mohra hydroelectric power facility might draw sufficient numbers of tourists and play a significant role in altering the socioeconomic condition of the area.
“Mohra Power House is unique due to its unique characteristics.” A Boniyar inhabitant named Basharat Ahmad called it “an architectural marvel.”
The 4000-kilowatt project on the left bank of the Jhelum was designed by British engineers. The project was unique because water from Jhelum was redirected approximately 11 km higher up into a canal that ran mostly in a wooden flume of 8 square feet that gave water to farmers for irrigation as well as feeding the turbines.
The introduction of electricity from Mohra changed the way of life in Kashmir and allowed the silk business to power its reeling machines and heat its water basins. After being destroyed by Pakistani invaders in October 1947, the project was operationalized in 1955 but suffered severe damage once more during the July 1959 rains.
The flume had to be erected on sturdy iron bridges at the other six water courses since only five streams could be crossed cleanly by the flume. Six tunnels beneath the rugged terrain were also constructed as a masterpiece of architecture for the flume to travel through. Only around 3 km of the flume’s roughly 11 km length were constructed of masonry; the remainder was made of deodar wood.
According to reports, LG Manoj Sinha is really interested in the project and wants to see it finished quickly.
Decades on, Kashmir’s oldest Mohra Power Projects awaits revival
