Mohra hydroelectric power project is located at Jhelum River in the Boniyar, Uri sector, District-Baramulla in J&K commissioned in 1905 on Jhelum River. It was a pioneering 4-9 MW plant known for its 11 km wooden flume & destroyed in 1992 floods and restored 10.5 MW heritage project to boost power.
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project is a historic 9 MW run-of-the-river project in Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir. It was commissioned in 1905 to support Jhelum dredging. After being damaged by floods in 1992, the 120 year old plant is undergoing a revitalization by Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited as part of a strategic plan to increase JK's power capacity to 11,000 MW by 2035.
What is Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project?
The Mohra hydroelectric power project is located on the Jhelum River in the Boniyar area of the Uri sector, Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir. The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project is 120 years old and a historic 10.5 MW run-of-the-river facility on the Jhelum River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is undergoing a revival to improve regional power capacity and preserve its legacy. Defunct since 1992, the plant was known for its unique 11 km wooden flume channel and for being one of the subcontinent's oldest hydropower stations.
Features of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project is a historic 120-year-old run-of-the-river plant in Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir. Notable for its 11 km wooden flume channel and early 9-10.5 MW capacity. It utilized turbines from Czechoslovakia. Currently, the J&K government is reviving the defunct station as a 10.5 MW plant. Let’s take a look at the features of mohra hydroelectric power project:-
1. Location and History
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project Situated in the Uri sector of Baramulla district on the Jhelum River. The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project was nominated in 1905. Therefore, it is one of India's oldest hydroelectric projects and was constructed by the Dogra ruler Raja Pratap Singh on the Jhelum River in Boniyar, Uri.
2. Unique Engineering
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project's most notable feature was a remarkable 11 km long wooden water channel constructed with deodar timber to carry water along the mountainous terrain from Rampur to Mohra.
3. Infrastructure
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project had tunnels and iron bridges to transport water to the turbines, which were originally sourced from Czechoslovakia. It also had an 11 kilometre wooden and deodar timber flume.
4. Current Status and Revival
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project plant was severely damaged in the 1992 floods. However, the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation is now restoring it as a heritage site and incorporating modern technologies to enhance regional power supply.
5. Energy Security
The revival aims to increase Jammu and Kashmir power generation capacity from 3,540 MW to 11,000 MW by 2035, especially given the context of the Indus Water Treaty. The project is contributing specifically to local and reliable power in the Kashmir valley.
History of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project was constructed in 1902-1905 during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1905 with a 4-9 MW capacity. After severe floods, the project was damaged but now Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) is accelerating its renewal. The Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC), established in 1995, is a government-owned organization dedicated to harnessing the region’s vast hydropower resources. Based in Srinagar, it oversees the development, upgrading, and maintenance of power infrastructure, including the restoration of projects such as the Mohra Power Project. Let’s take a look at the history of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project:-
1. Establishment and Purpose
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project constructed in 1905 during Maharaja Pratap Singh's reign, it was initially a 5 MW run of the river project designed to support dredging operations in the Jhelum River.
2. Engineering Marvel
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project was constructed by Canadian born engineer Major Alian de Litbiniere. The project was notable for its 11-km wooden flume which was constructed with deodar timber. It carried water to drive turbines which was a low-impact engineering marvel at its time. There were iron bridges to transport water from the Jhelum River.
3. Shutdown
Severe floods in September 1992 destroyed the power project system. It also reduced the capacity to 3 MW before it ultimately ceased operations. Therefore, for many years it remained defunct for decades.
4. Modernization
The Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation is accelerating its revival, planning a modernized 10.5 MW small hydroelectric project at the site. It involves renovating, modernizing and upgrading the existing structures.
Operational History
Mohra Hydroelectric Project was powered by Srinagar and was damaged by raiders in 1947. It was later rehabilitated and repaired multiple times after further damages, including in 1959 due to severe flooding.
Revival Plans of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project
The Jammu and Kashmir government is reviving the 120-year-old, 10.5 MW Mohra Hydroelectric Project in Baramulla, which has been defunct since the 1990s. The renovation is guided by Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) and aims to boost power generation, honor heritage and enhance strategic interests following the 2025 Indus Water Treaty pause. Let’s take a revival plans of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project:-
1. Actionable Steps
The Jammu and Kashmir J&K State Power Development Corporation Board initiated the process for rehabilitation. The Board approved floating a Limited Tender Enquiry to hire a Transaction Advisor to manage the rehabilitation, modernization, upgrading, operation and maintenance.
2. Strategic Importance
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase Jammu and Kashmir J&K’s power capacity to 11,000 MW by 2035. It was specifically prioritized as India paused the Indus Valley Treaty. The revival is part of an accelerated effort to maximize local hydropower generation.
3. Heritage Component
The project was commissioned in 1905 and is recognized as a historic site with efforts focused on restoring the old structure. Also, it was one of the first projects to generate hydroelectricity in the region.
4. Project Scope
The project aims to restore the powerhouse with a capacity of roughly 10.5 MW. The project also focuses on rehabilitation of the intake channel and repair of structural walls to ensure consistent water flow from the Jhelum River. Under the wider framework of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project, the Ratle Hydroelectric Project reflects India’s push to enhance hydropower capacity, optimize river resources, and strengthen regional energy security through modern infrastructure development and sustainable electricity generation initiatives.
Role of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project has historical value which aims at replacing outdated infrastructure, boosting J&K’s power generation. Let’s take a look at the role of Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project:-
1. Historical and Heritage Value
The Project was established in 1905, and it was one of India's earliest hydroelectric projects. It marks a significant engineering feat in Jammu and Kashmir and was historically important in providing power to Srinagar, Baramulla and Sopore.
2. Revival and Modernization
The Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation is renovating the plant to produce roughly 10.5 MW of power. The renewal project replaces the damaged, defunct 3 MW capacity and replaces the outdated infrastructure.
3. Economic and Technical Infrastructure
Historically, the project supported key industries such as the Srinagar silk factory and facilitated dredging operations in the Jhelum to reclaim farmland. Also, the project will be renovated to include new turbines and infrastructure.
4. Strategic Energy Boost
The project is part of a larger plan to increase J&K's power generation. It is especially important in the context of recent discussions surrounding the Indus Water Treaty which allows for higher local energy production.
Conclusion
The Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project in Jammu and Kashmir holds historic importance as it’s one of the earliest hydroelectric projects. After severe floods, the project was damaged but now the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited has come up with a strategic plan to boost renewable energy capacity. There will be an upgrade to 10.5 MW capacity. It also aims to address electricity shortages in North Kashmir and boost regional economic development.