Baglihar hydel plant shutdown leaves Jammu & Kashmir with 900MW power deficit

Jammu & Kashmir is facing a significant power crisis following the prolonged shutdown of the Baglihar hydroelectric project on the Chenab river. Both stages of the Baglihar plant remained largely non-operational for most of the past week, creating a shortfall of nearly 900MW. The project, comprising Stage I and Stage II, is one of the region's most critical sources of electricity. The crisis is particularly concerning given that peak power demand in the region reaches approximately 2,500MW in summer and 3,000MW in winter. The unavailability of this key facility has considerably widened the existing power deficit in Jammu & Kashmir.