The Sewa-III Hydroelectric Project in Kathua district stands today as a silent reminder of administrative complacency and institutional paralysis. Once envisioned as a small but meaningful addition to Jammu and Kashmir’s renewable energy landscape, this 9 MW project has remained defunct for over a decade, trapped in a cycle of paperwork, procedural delays, and natural calamities. Commissioned in 2002 as a run-of-river scheme on the Ravi River at Mashka village in Basohli, Sewa-III was designed to provide a consistent local power supply while contributing to the region’s clean energy goals. Yet, since the floods of 2013 damaged its inspection road and water conductor, the project has remained dormant, a casualty of both nature’s fury and bureaucratic inertia.
In the twelve years since its closure, the Power Development Department and the J&K State Power Development Corporation have repeatedly pledged restoration, but little beyond paperwork has materialized. The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee was tasked with preparing a Detailed Project Report, which it submitted in 2022, estimating a restoration cost of Rs 66.43 crore. However, instead of translating this report into action, the file was shuffled between departments, discussed at length in board meetings, and eventually deferred in March 2023. It was another instance of policy paralysis that has come to define public project management in the Union Territory. The irony deepened in August 2025 when fresh floods caused further damage to the already weakened structure, inflating both costs and complexities. It was only after these new setbacks that the government initiated discussions to revive the project through a Public-Private Partnership model. Once again, IIT Roorkee was re-engaged to update the Detailed Project Report, and the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department was asked to coordinate through the Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance. However, the process remains at a preliminary stage, requiring approvals, appointment of a transaction advisor, and the eventual selection of a private partner. The project’s revival, though back on the agenda, is still far from becoming a reality. The Sewa-III project’s story is symbolic of a deeper problem in infrastructure governance where vision and execution rarely align. Projects of this scale, though modest in capacity, play a vital role in supporting decentralized energy generation. For a region like Jammu and Kashmir, where electricity shortages continue to disrupt domestic life and industry, such projects could provide stability and self-sufficiency. Yet, systemic inefficiency, compounded by a lack of accountability, has turned potential assets into liabilities. The lack of urgency is particularly troubling given Jammu and Kashmir’s ambitious renewable energy targets under national programs. While large hydropower projects such as Ratle, Kiru, and Pakal Dul dominate the spotlight, smaller units like Sewa-III are neglected. This imbalance not only undermines local generation capacity but also deprives rural communities of consistent, low-cost power that could improve livelihoods. Moreover, prolonged inaction leads to escalating restoration costs, diminishing returns, and eventual obsolescence. Equally concerning is the absence of a clear communication strategy from the authorities involved. No public timeline has been announced for the completion or even the start of restoration work. Without transparency, public confidence erodes further. Citizens have the right to know why a functioning project, shut down due to natural damage, has not been revived in over a decade. It is unacceptable that in an era of rapid technological advancement, a project of this size continues to languish between files and floods. Meanwhile, the same pattern can be seen in other renewable energy initiatives across Jammu and Kashmir. Promises of free electricity for vulnerable households under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana remain stuck in procedural delays. Detailed Project Reports and tenders for rooftop solar installations are still under preparation, and no clear timeline has been provided. The recurring theme is clear: announcements are made with enthusiasm, but implementation remains slow, fragmented, and forgotten. If the government is truly committed to energy self-reliance and rural empowerment, it must treat the Sewa-III case as a lesson, not an exception. Immediate steps are needed to fast-track project approvals, simplify decision-making processes, and enforce accountability at every level. The creation of an independent monitoring cell within the power department could ensure real-time oversight of stalled projects. Additionally, partnering with credible private players through transparent contractual frameworks could accelerate execution while ensuring operational efficiency.
The revival of Sewa-III is not just about restoring a power project. It is about restoring public trust in governance. For too long, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a cycle of ambitious beginnings followed by disappointing ends. The Sewa-III Hydroelectric Project can either remain another statistic of missed opportunity or become a symbol of administrative renewal. The choice now lies squarely with those in power.