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The firm building the Ratle Hydropower Project in Jammu and Kashmir has warned it may abandon the Rs 3,700 crore project, citing sustained political interference, forced hiring of unskilled workers, safety concerns, and repeated disruptions that threaten timelines and quality.
Company cites political interference at Ratle project.
Jammu: The company constructing the Ratle Hydropower Project in Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar district has raised serious concerns about the future of the project. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited has stated that ongoing political interference may force it to withdraw from the Rs 3,700 crore development despite heavy investments already made.
According to the company leadership, local political figures are pressuring the firm to employ workers who lack the necessary skills and experience. The management claims that this interference is not limited to employment demands but also includes repeated stoppages of work and intimidation of officials at the site.
The Ratle project involves the construction of a 133 metre high dam and an 850 megawatt underground power facility over the Chenab river. Company officials have warned that employing largely untrained workers in such a complex project poses serious risks. They believe that both construction safety and structural quality could be compromised if the situation continues.
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Out of the total workforce of 1,434 people at the site, the company says around 960 workers are from the local Kishtwar region. While local employment is welcomed, the company has stated that many of these workers lack technical competence. It alleges that their recruitment was driven by pressure and threats rather than operational requirements.
The company has also pointed out that delays are not limited to the Ratle project alone. Several hydropower projects in the Kishtwar district, including Pakaldul, Koru and Kawar, are reportedly behind schedule. The disruptions have affected critical national infrastructure projects located along the Chenab river.
The chief operating officer of the company has openly stated that if work continues to be obstructed, the firm may be left with no option but to abandon the project. Such a decision would result in significant financial losses for the company, which has already invested heavily and provided bank guarantees to NHPC.
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This is not the first time the Ratle project has faced disruption. A similar situation in 2013 caused work to come to a halt for nearly eight years. The company fears that continued interference could once again push the project into prolonged suspension, undoing recent progress.
The situation worsened last week after a senior company official was allegedly assaulted and his vehicle attacked by a mob. Following this incident, the company issued a formal notice warning that construction activities could be suspended indefinitely if safety and order are not restored.
The Ratle Hydropower Project holds strategic significance for India energy security. After the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty following the April terror attack in Pahalgam, hydropower construction on the Indus river system gained momentum. The project no longer requires external clearance, making uninterrupted progress even more critical.
The company has appealed to both the central and state governments to step in and ensure a stable working environment. It has urged authorities to prevent political interference and guarantee security so that work can continue without fear or disruption.
