The Ministry of Power, in collaboration with National HydroElectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), organised a Bijli Mahotsav at Kathohallan in Shopian district as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of India's independence.
The Bijli Mahotsav was held to highlight the key achievements of the power sector in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Bijli Mahotsav programmes are being celebrated all over the country under the umbrella of Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya to encourage more public participation and to inform citizens about developments in the power sector.
Several key achievements were highlighted during the event, including the addition of 169 Giga Watts of generation capacity, 1.6 lakh Circuit Kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines, connecting the entire country into one grid running on one frequency, achieving 100 percent village electrification in 2018 and 100 percent household electrification.
On this occasion, dignitaries emphasised the benefits of electricity as well as the unprecedented growth achieved by the power sector in recent years.
Various cultural programmes, nukkad nataks, and short films on the power sector were also presented by renowned artists and schoolchildren.
In his address, Nasser S Bhat, Manager of NHPC, stated that the government is doing remarkable work in the power sector, adding that the local administration is implementing various schemes with the help of the central government, from which the general public benefits greatly.
District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson Bilqueesa Akhtar; DDC Vice Chairperson Irfan Manhas; ADDC Manzoor Hussain; NHPC General Manager Lakhmi Chand; Executive Engineer KPDCL PDD Er Mohammad Rashid Chowdary and other senior district administration officials were also present.