EAC to Decide on Extension of Environmental Clearance for 850-MW Ratle Project | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Expert Appraisal Committee of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will consider the Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited’s request for an extension of its Environmental Clearance for the 850-MW Ratle hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Documents reveal that the panel will decide on the extension of the clearance during its meeting scheduled for January 9.

The mega project was granted environmental clearance in 2012, and the clearance was transferred to RHPCL in 2021.

As per MoEF and CC norms, the validity of environmental clearance for river valley and hydroelectric projects is 10 years. This means the clearance granted in 2012 was valid until December 2022.

The Ratle hydroelectric project is a run-of-river scheme proposed on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, with an installed capacity of 850 MW.

Initially, construction of the project was undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation through M s GVK Limited. However, work was halted in 2014.

The plan for execution was revived by the Union Power Ministry in 2018 in consultation with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

In February 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NHPC with 51 percent stake and JKSPDC with 49 percent stake for the formation of a new joint venture—Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited—to execute the project.

The Union Cabinet accorded an investment sanction of Rs 5,281.94 crore for the project in 2021. (KNO)