Kashmir’s first hydel power project set for heritage revival in Uri

Baramulla, May 17: More than a century after it first illuminated homes in Kashmir, the historic Mohra Power Project in Uri is set to return as a heritage hydroelectric project, reviving not only a power station but also a remarkable chapter of Kashmir’s engineering and industrial history.

Situated on the banks of the Jhelum River in Boniyar area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the Mohra Power Project was commissioned in 1905 during the Dogra era following the devastating floods of 1903.

At a time when electricity was still a rarity in many parts of the subcontinent, Mohra became the first major hydroelectric project in Kashmir and played a crucial role in lighting households and institutions in the Valley. What made the project extraordinary was not merely its power generation but its unique design and engineering.

The project featured an 11-kilometre-long wooden flume carrying water from Rampur to Mohra to operate imported turbines from Czechoslovakia — an innovation considered far ahead of its time. Even today, the project is remembered as a symbol of early sustainable hydropower engineering in the region. The project had witnessed the passage of time, surviving multiple floods that challenged its resilience. However, the catastrophic floods of 1992 had dealt a fatal blow, rendering the powerhouse silent and still. The once-thriving hub of energy production now is in ruins, a silent witness to the ebb and flow of history.

MLA Uri DrSajadShafi said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for its restoration is currently being prepared and the project will be revived with an upgraded capacity of 12 MW. “We are optimistic that the work on the revival of the Mohra power project will begin within two months. This project is an important historical asset for Kashmir and its revival as a heritage power project is extremely important,” he said. He said several meetings with the concerned department has been held in the past and now its revival is reality. Although several large NHPC power projects now operate in Uri, Mohra continues to hold a distinct place because of its historical importance, indigenous engineering character and emotional connection with Kashmir’s early modernization.

Unlike modern hydel projects, Mohra represents the beginning of Kashmir’s electrification journey.The revival of the century-old project is also expected to boost heritage tourism in Uri by attracting visitors interested in history, architecture and engineering legacy.