Context
In September 2026, four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel were killed in a firing incident at a security unit guarding a Sewa hydroelectric project in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir.
About Sewa-II Hydroelectric Project
- Location: Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- River: Sewa River, a tributary of the Ravi River.
- Type: Run-of-the-river hydroelectric project with short-term water storage.
- Dam Type: Concrete gravity dam.
- Operator: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC).
- Construction: Began in 2003; the project was commissioned in 2010.
Key Technical Features
- Installed Capacity: 120 MW.
- Powerhouse: Contains three generating units, each with a capacity of 40 MW.
- Dam Height: 53 metres.
- Dam Length: 114 metres.
- Headrace Tunnel: Horseshoe-shaped, with a diameter of 3.3 metres and a length of approximately 10.187 km.
- Turbines: Pelton turbines, which are suitable for high-head hydropower generation.
What Is a Run-of-the-River Project?
- A run-of-the-river project generates electricity mainly by using the natural flow of a river, usually with limited water storage.
- Water is directed through tunnels or channels to turbines, which rotate generators to produce electricity.
- Compared with large storage-based hydropower projects, these projects generally require less extensive reservoir storage, although their output can vary with river flow.
Significance
- Clean energy: Generates renewable electricity without directly burning fossil fuels.
- Regional development: Supports electricity supply in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Energy security: Contributes to India’s hydropower capacity and diversification of energy sources.
- River utilisation: Uses the hydropower potential of the Sewa River, part of the Ravi river system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where is the Sewa-II Hydroelectric Project located?
It is located in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, on the Sewa River, a tributary of the Ravi River.
Q2. What type of hydroelectric project is Sewa-II?
It is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project with short-term water storage. It uses the natural flow of the river to generate electricity.
Q3. Which organisation operates the Sewa-II Hydroelectric Project, and when was it commissioned?
The project is operated by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC). Construction began in 2003, and it was commissioned in 2010.
