Srinagar: J&K’s Umar-Abdullah-led government has started sinking its toes in “Hydropower Tourism”, in which the hydel power generator has been allowed to install tourism facilities on the site as an incentive to attract more investors in such projects.J&K’s draft proposes tourism infrastructure up to 25mw in hydro power policy, 2025, hydel projects. A senior official said that the infrastructure may include hotels, parks, guesthouse and water sports facilities, draft policy, reviewed earlier this week by Chief Minister Omar, will soon be released for public response.Following the Pahgam terror attack on 22 April, the Center gave importance to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan after the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. Omar’s National Conference (NC) has long opposed IWT, called it harmful to the interests of J&K and arguing that the river water in Pakistan has been abolished without consulting the region.Such tourism facilities will be allowed to be installed only after the hydel projects go to the stream up to 25mw. The official said, “The policy clearly states that after completion of the main hydroelectric project and starting operations, they can apply for the construction of tourism infrastructure. It aims to increase income and support local economic development,” the official said.The incentive is limited to projects up to 25 MW as they usually come on small currents and provide good tourism capacity, while large hydel plants are located on major rivers, which are with very little scope for supportive facilities, the officer explained. J&K has an estimated hydroelectric capacity of more than 20,000mw, but less than 15% is used.The government expects a good response to the new policy. The officer cited Ranjit Sagar Dam (also known as Thin Dam) in Pathankot, neighboring Punjab, stating that it had turned into a popular picnic destination in the region with succulent gardens and sightseeing surroundings. The official said, “J&K’s upcoming hydroelectric projects provide equal tourism capacity,” the official said.While hydroelectric developers in Jammu and Kashmir will require 12% of the electricity generated in the Center area under the new policy, the obligation will be suspended during the initial years to reduce the burden on developers.Developers will be allowed to maintain all tourism revenue from the beginning, without any sharing. However, after 40 years, developers will have to hand over the “Hydel Project” and “to the government” in a good operating situation in all the related tourism infrastructure.The draft policy classifies projects between two sections, up to 25mw and 25mw and 100 MW. This proposes exemption of water use fee for all projects, classifying them as “non-individual users”. Developers will also benefit from carbon credit incentives and will get 100% discount on land procurement, leases or hostage related to projects and 100% discount on stamp duty.
