Once a power pioneer, Mohra power project now a forgotten asset

Boniyar, Jan 25: Standing silently on the banks of the River Jhelum in Boniyar, the Mohra Power Project—once a symbol of Kashmir’s early technological vision-remains defunct today, its revival stalled amid administrative delays, even as surrounding areas reel under persistent power shortages.

Commissioned in 1905, the Mohra project is widely regarded as Kashmir’s first hydroelectric power station.

Built at a time when electricity itself was a novelty, the project relied on flowing water, gravity-driven engineering and minimal storage. In contemporary terms, it would be described as a low-impact, run-of-the-river project. For decades, Mohra supplied electricity to Uri and adjoining areas without demanding extensive land acquisition or ecological disruption.

Unlike many large hydroelectric projects that followed, Mohra worked with the river rather than against it. Its gradual decline began in the early 1990s after the project suffered damage during floods. However, locals argue that natural calamities alone do not explain the prolonged shutdown.

“The power project was badly damaged during the floods. There was also a small fire incident,” said Muhammad Rafiq, a resident. “After that, the official documents related to Mohra were shifted to the Chandanwari office. Since then, nothing concrete has happened on the ground.”

As newer and larger power projects came to dominate policy discussions, Mohra slowly slipped into obscurity—becoming too small to attract investment and too old to command attention. This neglect, residents say, has had tangible consequences, particularly at a time when power supply in north Kashmir remains erratic.

“Electricity now comes only for fifteen minutes in an hour, sometimes once in two hours. People are really suffering,” said Ghulam Mohammad, another resident. “When Mohra was operational, electricity was not a problem. The entire Uri tehsil wants this project to be revived. It will not only improve power supply but also create employment for local people.”

The renewed interest in Mohra comes amid Jammu and Kashmir’s continued reliance on imported electricity despite its vast hydropower potential. While the proposed revival capacity of around 10.5 MW may not drastically alter the region’s power deficit, experts believe it could provide local relief and reduce pressure on the grid.

Government representatives have maintained that the project remains on the revival agenda. MLA Uri Dr Sajad Shafi said the government was committed to restoring Mohura as a heritage power project.

“The matter has already been taken up with the Honourable Chief Minister, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Mohra is ready,” he said. “Once the project is restored, people will receive regular electricity and will not have to face repeated curtailments. The project also has significant employment potential, from labour-level work during execution to technical and engineering jobs after commissioning.”

Beyond its technical aspects, Mohura’s prolonged dormancy has come to symbolise a broader governance challenge—where legacy infrastructure is often abandoned rather than adapted. Locals insist the project does not demand nostalgia, but seriousness in execution and clarity in decision-making.

More than a century after it first generated power, Mohra continues to stand as a reminder of what Kashmir once achieved—and what it still struggles to reclaim. Whether it remains a forgotten asset or regains relevance now hinges on institutional resolve rather than engineering feasibility.