Assam is reeling under severe power crisis as the shortfall in availability of power during the peak load hours is around 230 MW and it is around 170 MW during the off-peak load hours, forcing the Assam State Electricity Board to take recourse to frequent power cuts. However, the situation, ASEB sources said, is expected to improve significantly with the 100 MW Karbi Langpi hydel project back on the grid by the first week of May. The project is under shut down for annual maintenance since April 17.

Energy is the lifeline of economic development, but unfortunately, Pakistan has historically suffered from energy shortages and demand suppression because of limited supplies and lack of adequate infrastructure development for provision of energy to the industrial sector. Furthermore, the capacity of Pakistan's existing reservoirs (Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma) has declined by 27 percent and the cumulative decline will increase to 35 percent by 2012 and to 57 percent by 2025.

Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is vigorously carrying out feasibility studies and engineering designs of various hydropower projects with accumulative generation capacity of more than 25,000 MW and most of these studies are at the advance stage of their completion.

KUPWARA: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has asked the National Conference (NC) Patron Dr Farooq Abdullah to make clear to the people why he illogically bartered the state's water resources with the Center for a worthless 12 percent royalty in 2000.

After Pakistan's move to put up a 969 MW hydro power project across the Jhelum, the Central government has decided to revive the almost defunct 18-year-old 330 MW Kishen Ganga hydro power project on the same river in the Kashmir valley.

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) today criticised social activist Medha Patkar for lending support to the opponents of the hydel power projects in the State, including one at Dzongu in North Sikkim and said her utterances were

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) is in the dock again over the completion of 12-MW Khauli hydel project in Kangra district, completed at an estimated cost of Rs 126 crore. The per MW generation cost of the project is about Rs 10.50 crore as against Rs 10.20 crore on the 126-MW Larji project, which was until now considered the costliest hydel project in the country.

KISHTWAR: Public Social Welfare Association of district Kistwar has demanded the start of work at Pakal-Dul, Bursar, Kiru, Kawar Retle, Shomno Kartho Padder Hydroelectric Power Projects (NHPC) immediately. As per a press release, the meeting was held under the leadership of its district president Ajeet Bhagat, urged the Union Power Minster to start the work at the said side because this project would also not only provide needed power besides it would also generate employment for the local youth.

KISHTWAR: Residents of Kishtwar have demanded naming the Dul Hasti power project after Om Mehta, prominent congress leader. Terming Mehta involvement in the project right from the beginning and was instrumental in getting the power project of 390 MW capacity sanctioned by the cabinet. The hydel project was to cost Rs 3400 crores. Due to the interruptions its present cost is estimated to be Rs 4500 crores. The plant will generate 390 MW of electricity and provide employment to a large number of local people. It has been constructed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday reviewed the progress of on-going mega water projects. Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Shakeel Durrani, in a presentation, informed the Minister about the progress on on-going hydel power projects.