Srinagar, Mar 30: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said that the flood-hit Sewa-III Hydroelectric Project, lying non-operational for years, would be revived under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with a revised restoration plan expected by April 2026.
Replying to a question by MLA Darshan Kumar in the Assembly, the government said the 9 MW run-of-river project was commissioned on June 25, 2002, after being taken up in 1993, but was currently shut due to extensive damage caused by floods.
The shutdown followed “torrential rains and subsequent floods in the year 2013 and 2024,” which severely impacted key structures.
“A portion of inspection road along with water conductor got damaged and washed off between RD 2360-2515 metres, thereby leaving behind a portion of water conductor exposed and hanging due to under-caving which resulted in forced shut down of the Power House,” the reply said.
The Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) subsequently assigned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for renovation, modernisation, and restoration of the project.
The DPR, submitted in 2022, estimated the cost at Rs 66.43 crore.
The government said the revival plan has since shifted toward a PPP model.
It said the Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance, in a meeting held on April 7, 2025, proposed that the project be taken up through private participation.
Following this, the DPR was sent back to IIT Roorkee for revision and updating in September 2025.
“Final report is likely to be submitted by end April, 2026,” the reply said.
In parallel, the government has initiated steps to structure the PPP project.
It said the Board of Directors approved, on February 9, 2025, the initiation of a limited tender enquiry for engaging a transaction advisor.
The advisor would prepare tender documents and recommend the most suitable execution model for the project.
On concerns over delays and public expenditure, the government denied any lapse in commissioning timelines.
“There is no delay in the commissioning of project. However, the project was non-operational in view of the forced circumstances, mainly due to damage of structures by floods,” it said.
The government said that the project would be taken up for development after the selection of a private developer, marking the next step in efforts to restore the stalled hydropower asset.
