J&K power corporation’s lax supervision behind hydel project delay: CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has attributed the non-completion of the 48-MW Lower Kalnai Hydel Power Project in Doda district to “lax supervision and control over the execution of contract” by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDCL).

During the tenure of the National Conference-Congress coalition government, the JKSPDCL awarded the contract on EPC (engineering, procurement and commissioning) to M/s Coastal Projects Limited in September 2013 for completion of work within 48 months. An agreement was signed in April 2014 and work on the project began in June the same year. The government of the erstwhile state had in August 2013 granted approval for the project with an estimated completion cost of Rs 567.87 crore, including escalation during construction.