Description

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Context

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and others in a corruption case involving the Kiru Hydroelectric Power Project.

What is the Kiru Hydropower Project?

Kiru Hydropower Project is a 624 MW run-of-river system located on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar region.

About Kiru Hydropower Project

Type of Dam	Gravity
Project	Kiru is a 624 MW run-of-river scheme on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar district, costing an estimated ₹4,287 crore.
Location	Near the confluence of the Chenab with the Singad and Bela streams.
Design	135m-high concrete gravity dam with an underground powerhouse housing four 156 MW Francis turbines.
Strategic Positioning	Located between the existing Kirthai II (upstream) and Kwar (downstream) hydel power projects.
Development Consortium	Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP): a joint venture of NHPC (49%), JKSPDC (49%), and PTC (2%).

Significance of the Project

Apart from addressing energy demand in northern India and the state's rural areas, it may benefit small-scale and cottage industries.
The initiative is planned to create jobs and improve local infrastructure.

Chenab River

The Chenab River begins in Himachal Pradesh's upper Himalayas and is produced at Tandi by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
The Chenab River's main tributaries are the Thirot, Sohal, Bhut Nallah, Liddrari, and Marusudar.
The river travels through Jammu and Kashmir, then into Punjab, Pakistan, before joining the Indus River.

Source: Business Stranded

Practice Question:

Q. The Kiru Hydropower Project, a major run-of-river scheme, is located on which of the following rivers?

A. Beas
B. Chenab
C. Ravi
D. Sutlej

Answer: B. Chenab